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WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 



WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


BY 


NINA EHOADES 

Author or “ Only Dollie,” “ The Little Girl 
Next Door”*; 


ILLUSTRATED BY BERTHA G. DAVIDSON 



BOSTON 

LEE AND SHEPAED 
1903 


Published, August, 1Q03 


I THE LIBRARY OF 
J CONGRESS. 

I Two Copies Receive*} 

JUN 22 ^903 

Ccpyrignt Entry 

•9ol\ 

CLASS*<i<> XXo. No. 

iotiU- 

COPY B. 



Copyright, 1Q03, by Lee and Shepard 

/ 


All rights reserved 


Winifred’s Neighbors 



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“ I promised Mrs. Bradford I would stay with you till she 
came back.” — Page 189. 



CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 

I, How IT Began, . 

• 

• 

• 


PAGE 

I 

II. 

The Bradfords, 

• 

• 

• 


15 

III. 

An Unexpected Visitor, 

• 

• 

• 


28 

IV. 

Wishes, .... 





49 

V. 

New Friends, . 

• 

• 

• 


67 

VI. 

The First Day of School, 

• 

• 

• 


78 

VII. 

Under a Cloud, 

; 

• 

• 


91 

VIII. 

Cinderella, 

• 

• 

• 


104 

IX. 

Not a Nice Girl to Know, 

• 

• 



119 

X. 

Uncle Will’s Story, 

• 

• 



132 

XI. 

Telling the Bradfords, 

• 

• 

• 


144 

XII. 

A Real Home, 

• 

• 

• 


161 

XIII. 

Keeping a Promise, 

• 

• 

• 


172 

XIV. 

Strange News, 

0 

• 


• 

195 

XV. 

A Father and Mother, . 

• 

• 

• 

• 

211 


V 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page 

“ I promised Mrs. Bradford I would stay with you till she 


came back ” (^Frontispiece) 189 

“ How perfectly lovely it would be if I could only get to 

know the Bradfords ” 2 

“ Lily-Bell, I’m going to do it ” 14 

She and Mrs. Smith had tea together 43 

She let both little girls write their names on her type- 
writer 74 

‘‘ You’re not a nice girl for us to know ” 124 

A little figure in a flannel wrapper and worsted slippers 
walked into the room 133 


“ Winnie, my darling little Winnie, hiding from mother ? ” 220 



O' 






/ 


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• S' 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

CHAPTER I 

HOW IT BEGAN 

I WISH I knew them — oh, how I do wish I 
knew them ! ’’ 

Winifred had not intended to say the 
words aloud, but she was thinking so very ear- 
nestly that they came almost without her know- 
ing it, and as she spoke she closed “ Bessie on 
Her Travels with such a deep sigh that Aunt 
Estelle heard it, and looked up from the note she 
was writing to ask: 

What's the matter, WinnieJ " 

Winifred came from her book to present real- 
ities with a little start. 

Nothing's the matter, Aunt Estelle, I was 
only thinking." 

Aunt Estelle, still with her pen in her hand, 
glanced rather anxiously at the pale, wistful little 
face, and something in its expression touched 
her, though she could scarcely have told why. 


2 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


What are you thinking about? ” she in- 
quired kindly. 

I was thinking how perfectly lovely it would 
be if I could only get to know the Bradfords.” 

Who in the world are the Bradfords? ” 

Winifred’s face brightened; it was not very 
often that Aunt Estelle found time to question 
her about things. 

“ Oh, they are the loveliest family. There are 
Mr. and Mrs. Bradford and the six children. 
Maggie must be just about my age, and Bessie 
is two years younger. Then there are Harry 
and Fred, they are quite big boys, and little 
Frankie and the baby. Mrs. Bradford is so 
sweet, I know I should love her.” 

Aunt Estelle glanced at the clock. 

Good gracious ! ” she exclaimed in conster- 
nation, how time does fly. It’s after three al- 
ready, and I have an appointment at the tailor’s 
for half past. Where did I put that envelope? 
Oh, here it is. Well, Winnie, if these Bradfords 
are nicely behaved children, I am sure I have no 
objection to your playing with them. Uncle 
Will was saying last evening that he wished you 
had more children to play with, you are such a 
quiet little mouse. I am afraid you must miss 
the little girls at the hotel.” 



How perfectly lovely it would be if I could only get to 
know the Bradfords.” — Page 2. 





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HOW IT BEGAN 


3 


Oh, no, I don’t,’^ said Winifred cheerfully, 
“ at least not much. Some of them were rather 
nice, but the rest were rough. I’d rather read 
than do almost anything else, but I should like 
to know the Bradfords.” 

“ Very well, ask them to come and play with 
you some afternoon if you like — where do they 
live, by the way? ” 

Winifred hesitated, and glanced rather help- 
lessly at the cover of her book, as though with 
the vague hope of finding the address printed 
there. 

I don’t quite know,” she said; they were 
traveling all summer, but I think they must have 
come back to New York now, because it’s 
October.” 

She spoke very slowly and deliberately, as if 
considering an important question, but Aunt 
Estelle, having sealed and stamped her note, was 
making a hasty search in her bureau drawer for 
a new pair of gloves, and did not even hear the 
end of her little niece’s sentence. Aunt Estelle 
was one of those persons who are always in a 
hurry about something. She was very pretty, 
and a great favorite among her many friends, 
and although not always very wise, she honestly 
meant to be kind to Winifred. 


4 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


‘‘ How should you like to^ go to school, Win- 
nie? ” she inquired, as she fastened the last but- 
ton of her glove; ''you would have plenty of 
little girls to play with then.” 

" I think I should like it,” said Winifred with 
a smile. It was very pleasant, she thought, to 
have Aunt Estelle taking such an interest in 
her. 

" Well, Uncle Will and I have been talking 
about it. It seems foolish to hunt up another 
daily governess now that Miss Franklin is mar- 
ried. I must inquire about some good schools. 
I think my friend Mrs. Bell has a little girl about 
your age. I am going there to luncheon to- 
morrow, and ril try and get some information 
from her. Now, Mousie, I really must be off, or 
I shall be late for my appointment. Oh, by the 
way, did Josephine take you for a walk this 
morning? ” 

" No, Aunt Estelle, she said she hadn’t time.” 

An expression of perplexity flitted across Mrs. 
Meredith’s pretty face. 

" Oh, dear, I had quite forgotten. She is very 
busy sewing on my new dress, and I must have it 
to wear to-night. I’m afraid she won’t be able to 
take you out this afternoon either.” 

" I don’t mind,” said Winifred cheerfully. " I 


HOW IT BEGAN 


5 

can read some more, and I want to trim a new 
hat for Rose-Florence.’’ 

Aunt Estelle glanced for a second time at the 
pale little face, and her conscience^ — which was 
rather a tender one, after all — gave an uncom- 
fortable little prick. 

‘‘ I really don’t know what to do about it,” 
she said uneasily. “ I hate to have you kept in 
the house on such a beautiful afternoon, and yet 
I can’t possibly take you with me, for I have a 
dozen engagements to keep. I’ll tell you what 
you might do, Winifred. You might walk up 
and down the street by yourself — would you like 
that? ” 

“ I should like it very much indeed,” said 
Winifred, to whom this proposal seemed like the 
beginning of a new and delightful independence; 
She had never been out in the street by herself 
in her life. 

Very well, you may go for a little while, that 
is if you will promise not to cross any streets, 
but stay right on this block all the time. Uncle 
Will may not approve, but I really can’t see any 
harm. I often see very nice-looking children 
playing on the sidewalks.” 

Winifred readily gave the required promise, 
and Mrs. Meredith hurried away to keep her 


6 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


appointment. As she heard the front door shut, 
Winifred rose from her seat, and going over to 
the window, looked eagerly down the street. 

“ How pretty she is,” she said to herself, gaz- 
ing affectionately after her aunt’s retreating fig- 
ure, and it was nice of her tO' take so much in- 
terest in the Bradfords, and about my going to 
school. I guess she really does love me, only of 
course it isn’t just the same as if I were her very 
own little girl. Oh, how beautiful it would be 
to have a mother like Mrs. Bradford. I don’t 
suppose she was ever too busy to answer ques- 
tions, and she always took an interest in every- 
thing. I guess I’ll go upstairs now and tell Jose- 
phine Aunt Estelle says I may go out by myself, 
and then I can decide which of the children I’ll 
take with me.” 

But first, being a very orderly, methodical 
little person, Winifred paused at the bookcase, 
to put Bessie on Her Travels ” back on the 
shelf from which she had taken it. It was a 
rather shabby volume by the way, having be- 
longed to Aunt Estelle some twenty years before, 
when that lady was a little girl herself, but Wini- 
fred never thought of that. To her the Brad- 
fords and their friends were just the same real 
living beings they had seemed to another gener- 


HOfV IT BEGAN 


7 


ation O'f little girls, who had grown up and be- 
come wives and mothers long ago. 

“ I do wish there were some more ^ Bessie 
Books,’ ” she said to herself, as she mounted the 
stairs to the nursery. Perhaps when they get 
settled for the winter somebody will have time 
to write some more about them. It must be very 
interesting to* have a book written about one; 
I wonder if anyone will ever write about me? ” 
Josephine, the French maid, was sewing by 
the nursery window; she looked up from her 
work as Winifred entered. 

What is it now? ” she demanded rather 
crossly. ‘‘ I have not ze time to take you for a 
walk; Madame keeps me so vairy busy.” 

“ I know you are very busy, Josephinie,” said 
Winifred pleasantly. “ But Aunt Estelle says 
she really must have her dress tO' wear this even- 
ing. You needn’t stop to do anything for me, 
because Aunt Estelle is going to let me go out 
for a walk all by myself.” 

Josephine gave a little grunt^ but whether of 
disapproval or satisfaction it would be difficult 
to say. She was not a very amiable person, and 
Winifred was not nearly as fond of her as she 
was of Norah, the good-natured Irish waitress, 
or Hannah, the fat German cook. But she wa§ 


8 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


rather sorry for Josephine, who often had bad 
headaches, and whose mother was paralyzed, so 
she paid no attention to the grunt, but walking 
over to her own particular corner, stood looking 
down at the row of solemn faced dolls seated 
primly by the side of the sofa. 

“ Which of you shall I take for a walk? ’’ she 
said, addressing her family in general. “ I don’t 
want to make anybody jealous, but I really can’t 
take more than one at a time. It won’t be you. 
Lord Fauntleroy, because you’re a boy, and boys 
always should give up to girls. Aunt Estelle says, 
and she ought to know, on account of having 
five brothers of her own. I’d like tO' take you, 
Rose-Florence, but your hat is really too shabby, 
so it will have to be either Violet-May, or Lily- 
Bell. I remember, Violet-May, that you were 
very cross this morning when I curled your hair, 
and Lily-Bell was good, so I think I’ll decide to 
take her.” 

Having settled this important question, and 
dressed herself and the fortunate Lily-Bell in 
street costume, Winifred, with a hasty good-by 
to Josephine, ran downstairs with her doll in 
her arms. Her hand was already on the knob of 
the front door, when it suddenly occurred to her 
that she would stop and tell Norah what she was 


HOW IT BEGAN 9 

going to dO'. Norah was cleaning silver in the 
pantry. 

She was not disappointed in her hope that 
Norah would be interested, for when the good- 
natured Irish girl heard the wonderful news that 
Winifred was actually going out for a walk all 
by herself, her face fairly beamed. 

Well, if that aint jist the grandest news,’' she 
exclaimed. You’ll be gettin’ a big grown 
up young lady before we know it, and you 
won’t need to bother with Frinchey at all.” 

Frinchey ” was Norah’s not very polite name 
for Josephine, the two never having become 
very good friends. 

“ I am getting pretty big,” Winifred agreed 
gravely. “ I looked at myself in the glass this 
morning, and I’m sure I must have grown ever 
so much since we went to the country last June. 
Aunt Estelle says I may go to school this 
winter.” 

Go to school! Well, did yez ever hear the 
like of that? And you’ll be gettin’ a fine scholar, 
wid a lot of books to learn, and no time tO' spare 
to help poor Norah clean silver.” 

“ Oh, yes I shall,” said Winifred. “ I’ll always 
have time to help you, because you’ve always 
been so kind to me, and you know people never 


lo WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

forget other people who are kind to them. And 
ril come and read to you sometimes — you 
do like to have me read to you, don’t you, 
Norah?” 

“Don’t I just!” was Norah’s uncompromis- 
ing rejoinder. “ I’d like to know who could help 
it, and such nice interesting books as you do be 
readin’, too.” 

“ I’ve finished ‘ Bessie on Her Travels,’ ” said 
Winifred with a regretful sigh. “ I wish there 
were a hundred ‘ Bessie Books,’ don’t you, 
Norah? ” 

“ They do be awful nice stories,” Norah 
agreed, polishing vigorously away at the silver 
teapot as she spoke. 

“ Norah,” said Winifred, suddenly struck by 
a new idea, “ do you think I could possibly find 
out where the Bradfords live? ” 

Norah laughed. 

“ Find out where the Bradfords live? Well, 
of all the funny old-fashioned little young ones 
I ever did see! ” 

“ Aunt Estelle said I might ask them to come 
and play with me sometimes,” Winifred ex- 
plained, “ but the trouble is I don’t know where 
they live. The books only say in New York, 
and New York is such a very big place, you 


HOW IT BEGAN 


II 


know. I suppose you never happened to know 
anybody who lived with them.” 

Norah laughed again; she appeared to think 
something a very good joke. Winifred had no 
idea what the joke was, but she did not always 
quite understand Norah, although she was very 
fond of her, and she was not in the least offended. 

No, I never had nO' friends as lived wid ’em, 
but there’s some Bradfords livin’ right on this 
block, in number Twenty-two-. The postman 
left a letter of theirs here by mistake, but there’s 
Hannah callin’ me at the waiter. I guess it’s me 
sister come to see me; she said she’d stop in this 
afternoon. Good-by, darlin’, have a nice walk, 
and mind you don’t be tryin’ no crossin’s.” 

Norah hurried away down the back stairs, lit- 
tle dreaming of the sadden hope her careless 
words about the Bradfords had awakened in 
Winifred’s innocent little heart. 

Number Twenty- two,” the child said to her- 
self, as she closed the front door behind her; 
“ that isn’t far, and it’s on this side of the way, 
too-; I shouldn’t even have tO' cross. I suppose 
there might be more than one family of Brad- 
fords, but then these might happen to be the 
right ones just as likely as not, and if they should 
be, and I should really get to know them, it 


12 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


would be perfectly beautiful, wouldn’t it, Lily- 
Bell?” 

Lily-Bell certainly made no reply in words, 
but her small mamma appeared to take silence 
for assent, for she hugged her tight in a sudden 
ecstasy of hopeful anticipation. 

It was, as Mrs. Meredith had said, a lovely 
afternoon. There was just a touch of frostiness 
in the air, and the sun was shining as only an 
October sun can shine. Winifred strolled lei- 
surely along, looking carefully up at the numbers 
of the houses. When she reached number 
Twenty-two she paused. 

‘‘ It’s a nice looking house,” she remarked to 
Lily-Bell ; ^'they’ve got very pretty curtains at the 
parlor windows. It’s bigger than our house, but 
the Bradfords would need a rather large house 
on account of their having so many children. 
Oh, if some of them would only come to the 
windows.” 

She stood for several minutes gazing intently 
up at the house, but no signs of life appeared at 
any of the windows, and at last she moved slowly 
on again. 

I suppose they’re out,” she said with a sigh; 
“ it’s such a nice day. I’ll look at all the children 
we meet, and if I see any that I think may be 


HOW IT BEGAN 


*3 


Maggie and Bessie I’ll — yes, I really will — speak 
to them.” 

It was rather a bold resolve, for Winifred was 
apt to be a little shy with strangers, but to actu- 
ally speak to her favorite characters — the pros- 
pect was too alluring to be resisted. She walked 
slowly up and down the block from one avenue 
to the other, several times. It was a quiet side 
street, and none of the few children she met 
struck her as at all answering to her ideas of the 
Bradford family. There were some boys play- 
ing marbles, and she gazed at them intently, 
wondering if Harry and Fred could possibly be 
among them, but finally came to the conclusion 
that none of them looked nice enough for the 
heroes of her fascinating books. 

Still, the more she thought about the possi- 
bility of discovering the Bradfords, the more 
eager she became. 

“ Fm sure they must be the right ones, Lily- 
Bell,” she said, pausing for the sixth time in front 
of number Twenty-two. “ There couldn’t really 
be more than one family of the same name living 
in one city. I’m sure there couldn’t, Lily-Bell. 
Oh, if some of them would only come home.” 

Just at that moment a cab stopped before the 
door of number Twenty-two, and a lady got out 


14 


WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


and went up the steps. Winifred did not get a 
very good view of the lady’s face, but she did 
not seem unlike the pictures of the Mrs. Bradford 
in “ The Bessie Books.” 

“ It is Mrs. Bradford, it really is,” she gasped, 
squeezing Lily-Bell tight in her excitement. 
“ Oh, if I only dared go up and speak to her.” 
The cab drove away; the lady rang the doorbell, 
and after waiting for a few moments on the 
steps, was admitted, and the front door closed 
behind her. Still Winifred never moved. She 
was making up her mind to do what seemed to 
her a very bold thing indeed. 

‘‘ I may never have another chance, Lily-Bell,” 
she whispered. Uncle Will may say I can’t go 
out by myself any more, and Josephine would 
never let me do it. Aunt Estelle did say I might 
ask them to come and play with me — Lily-Bell, 
I’m going to do it.” 



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“ Lily-Bell, I’m going- to do it.” 


Page 14. 






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CHAPTER II 


THE BRADFORDS 

P LEASE, can I see Mrs. Bradford for a min- 
ute.^’ Mrs. Bradford's trim maid gazed 
down at the maker of this rather timid re- 
quest in some surprise. What she saw was a 
very pretty little girl, with large dark eyes and 
light fluffy hair, dressed in a blue serge frock and 
a blue cloth jacket, and carrying a big French 
doll in her arms. 

“You want to see Mrs. Bradford," she re- 
peated in a rather puzzled tone ; “ who shall I 
tell her it is? " 

The child hesitated, and the color deepened in 
her already flushed cheeks. 

“ Pm afraid she wouldn't know my name," she 
said doubtfully; “ tell her it's a little girl who 
wants to see her very much." 

The maid began to look doubtful in her turn. 
“ I'm afraid I can't let you in unless you give 
me your message," she said; “ Mrs. Bradford 
15 


1 6 WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 

doesn’t like to be bothered, and if she doesn’t 
know you ” 

What is the trouble, Mary? ” inquired a 
voice from somewhere in the background; “ does 
anyone want to see me? ” 

'' Yes, ma’am, it’s a little girl; I never saw her 
before, but she’s asking for you very particular.” 

'' Very well, let her come in.” 

Mary moved aside to let the visitor pass; Wini- 
fred stepped into the hall, and the next moment 
found herself standing before the same lady she 
had seen get out of the cab five minutes before. 

“ Well, little girl, do you want to speak to 
me? ” the lady asked in a rather pleasant voice; 

I heard you asking for Mrs. Bradford.” 

“Yes, please,” faltered Winifred, suddenly 
finding it very difficult to express her desire, and 
blushing more deeply than before; “ I wanted to 
see you very much — that is, I mean I wanted to 
ask you if you would let the children come and 
play with me sometimes. My name is Winifred 
Meredith, and I live in number Forty-eight. My 
aunt said I might have them, and — and I should 
like it so very much.” 

By this time both Mrs. Bradford and Mary 
were staring at the visitor in growing bewilder- 
ment. 


THE BRADFORDS 


17 


Don’t you think you have made a mistake in 
the house, dear? ” the lady asked kindly. 

“ No, at least I don’t think so; Norah said you 
lived at number Twenty-two.” 

Well, this is number Twenty-two, and I am 
Mrs. Bradford, but I don’t quite understand 
about the children — what children do you 
mean? ” 

Winifred’s heart sank. Had she made a mis- 
take then, and were there more than one family 
of Bradfords living in New York, after all? 

“ Please excuse me,” she faltered, her lips be- 
ginning to quiver; “ I’m very sorry if I’ve done 
anything wrong, but I thought you might have 
two little girls, Maggie and Bessie.” 

'' You have d'one nothing wrong, dear,” said 
Mrs. Bradford, smiling. I am very glad you 
came to see me, for I love little girls dearly, and 
so does my husband, though we haven’t any of 
our own. There may be another family of Brad- 
fords living on this street. We haven’t lived 
here long ourselves, and don’t know many of the 
neighbors. This is Mr. John Bradford’s house; 
do you happen to know what the first name of 
your little friends’ father is? ” 

Winifred shook her head mournfully. 

“ They are not exactly my little friends,” she 


1 8 WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

said; “ you see, I don’t know them at all, I only 
read about them.” 

‘‘ Read about them,” repeated Mrs. Bradford 
in astonishment; “where did you read about 
them — in the newspaper? ” 

“ No,” said Winifred, “ it was in ‘ The Bessie 
Books ’ — Bessie is one of them, you know. 
There are several books about them, and I love 
them very much. Aunt Estelle said I might ask 
them to come and see me, and Norah said some 
Bradfords lived here; I thought they might be 
the right ones.” 

Winifred was making a great effort to speak 
cheerfully, but there was a little catch in her 
voice notwithstanding, and two- big tears 
splashed suddenly down on Lily-Bell’s pink silk 
hat. 

Mrs. Bradford saw the tears, and her kind 
heart was touched. 

“ You poor, dear little girl,” she said, half 
laughing, but drawing Winifred to her side, “ so 
you have been trying to- find the characters in a 
story book. Well, I am Mrs. Bradford, even if 
I am not the right one. As you have come to see 
me, suppose you stay for a little while. As I told 
you before, I am very fond of little girls. Now 
tell me, are you fond of cookies? ” 


THE BRADFORDS 


19 


‘‘ Yes, thank you, I like them very much,” said 
Winifred gratefully. Her loving little heart 
was always ready to respond to every word of 
kindness, and she felt sure that this Mrs. Brad- 
ford, even if not the right one, meant to be kind. 

“ Come with me then,” said the lady, and tak- 
ing Winifred’s hand, she led her into the dining 
room, where, having seated her liltle guest, she 
produced from the pantry a plate heaped with 
crisp, delicious looking cookies. Mary had re- 
tired from the scene, evidently concluding that 
her services were no longer required. 

“ Now, suppose you tell me something about 
yourself,” said Mrs. Bradford pleasantly, taking 
a chair by Winifred’s side, as the little girl began 
munching a cookie. ‘‘ You said your name was 
Meredith, didn’t you? ” 

“ Yes, Winifred Meredith, and I live at num- 
ber Forty-eight.” 

“ You are rather a little girl to be out by your- 
self — how old are you? ” 

I was nine last August. I don’t usually go 
out by myself, but this afternoon Aunt Estelle 
said I might, because Josephine was busy. You 
see Josephine has to do all the sewing, so it isn’t 
very easy for Aunt Estelle to spare her to take me 
out every day.” 


20 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


‘‘And do you live with your aunt? — haven’t 
you any mother, dear? ” 

“ No,” said Winifred, the wistful look coming 
into her face again; “ I’ve only got Uncle Will 
and Aunt Estelle. I think my father and mother 
must have died when I was a baby, for I don’t 
remember either of them at all.” 

“ Poor little girl,” said Mrs. Bradford involun- 
tarily; “ take another cookie, dear.” 

- “ I love Aunt Estelle very much,” said Wini- 
fred, struck rather uncomfortably by the note of 
pity in the lady’s voice, “ but of course it isn’t 
just the same thing as having a real mother. 
That’s one reason why I was so anxious tO' know 
the Bradfords; they had such a beautiful mother, 
and I thought perhaps she might be a little kind 
to me, too.” 

Somewhat to Winifred’s surprise, Mrs. Brad- 
ford suddenly leaned forward and kissed 
her. 

“ You dear child,” she said a trifle unsteadily, 
and Winifred saw that there were tears in her 
eyes; “ I wish I were the right Mrs. Bradford. 
I had a little girl of my own once, but God took 
her away when she was only twO' years old. I 
think that is one reason why my husband and I 
are both so fond of little girls. Now, I want to 


THE BRADFORDS 


21 


know if you will let me take you upstairs to 
see my husband. He is very ill ; he cannot walk 
at all, and has to lie on the sofa all the time. I 
think he would like tO' see you very much.’’ 

Winifred promptly slipped down off her 
chair. 

“ I’ll come,” she said, her quick sympathies al- 
ready aroused by this description. 

So Mrs. Bradford took her hand again, and 
led her up stairs to a large sunny room on the 
second floor, where a pale gentleman, with 
mournful dark eyes, was, lying on a sofa. 

“ John,” said Mrs. Bradford in a very cheerful 
tone, as she led Winifred up to the sofa, ‘‘ this is 
a dear little neighbor I have brought tO' see you. 
Her name is Winifred Meredith, and she lives at 
number Forty-eight.” 

The gentleman, who had been reading when 
they entered, laid down his book, and held out 
his hand to the visitor. He had a rather kind 
face, Winifred thought, though it was a very 
sad one. 

“ How do you do? ” said Winifred politely, 
slipping her small, plump hand intO' Mr. Brad- 
ford’s large, thin one; I am very pleased to 
meet you.” 

'' And I am very pleased to meet you,” said 


22 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


the gentleman, smiling, and giving the little 
hand a friendly shake. '' It was very kind 
of you to come to see me — won’t you sit 
down ? ” 

I’m afraid I didn’t come on purpose to see 
you exactly,” said truthful Winifred, beginning 
to feel rather uncomfortable again. You’re 
not a bit like the Mr. Bradford I thought you 
were. You see, I didn’t know there were more 
than one family named Bradford, but I suppose 
there may be a good many.” 

“ Well, even if you didn’t come on purpose to 
see me, perhaps you will sit down and have a 
little talk now that you are here,” said Mr. Brad- 
ford, still smiling. 

So Winifred sat down in a low chair beside 
Mr. Bradford’s sofa, and Mrs. Bradford ex- 
plained matters to her husband, at which he 
looked both amused and interested. 

And were you so very much disappointed 
when you found that you had hit on the wrong 
Bradfords after all? ” he asked, when his wife had 
finished her little story. 

“ I was at first,” Winifred admitted, '' but 
I don’t mind so much now. This Mrs. Bradford 
is very nice, too, but I can’t help being sorry 
about the children.” 


THE BRADFORDS 


23 


But you surely have plenty of little play- 
mates even without the Bradfords/' Mrs. Brad- 
ford said kindly. 

Winifred shook her head. 

“ I did know some children at the hotel in the 
country where we spent the summer/’ she said, 
“ but now that we’ve come back to* New York I 
haven’t anyone to play with. You see,” she 
added in her prim little old-fashioned way, “ my 
Aunt Estelle is a very young lady, and none of 
her friends’ children are old enough to play with 
me, so I am often rather lonely.” 

“ Well,” said Mr. Bradford, “ I am not ex- 
actly a little boy, but I don’t at all object to play- 
ing sometimes, and I am, often very lonely, too. 
How would it do if you and I were tO' play to- 
gether sometimes? ” 

“ That would be very nice,” said Winifred. 

I like quiet, sitting-still games much better than 
romping ones, and perhaps you like to have peo- 
ple read to you sometimes. Uncle Will sprained 
his ankle last winter, and he used to like me to 
read to him while he was laid up.” 

And I should like it very much, too,” said 
Mr. Bradford heartily. 

‘‘ I might not be able to pronounce all the 
very longest words,” said Winifred modestly. 


24 


WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


but perhaps you wouldn’t mind if I spelled 
them out. Uncle Will used to say he didn’t 
mind.” 

Mr. Bradford assured her that he should not 
mind in the least, and then he asked her if she 
would like to see his parrot. Winifred said she 
would, and Mrs. Bradford, disappearing for a 
moment, returned carrying a cage containing a 
green parrot, which she set down on a table be- 
side her husband’s sofa. 

Polly is rather noisy sometimes,” she ex- 
plained to Winifred, “ so when my husband 
wants to take a nap in the afternoon I have to 
take her into another room. Now Polly, come 
and shake hands with this little girl.” 

It really was a very wonderful parrot; Wini- 
fred thought she had never seen anything quite 
so interesting before. It not only shook hands, 
but whistled a tune, sang a song, and repeated 
a number of sentences besides, and being in a 
particularly good humor that afternoon, it con- 
sented to be put through its entire repertory 
without a murmur. So the next half hour 
slipped away very quickly, and then the clock 
struck five, and Winifred remembered all at once 
what a long time she had been out. 

‘‘ I’m afraid I must go now,” she said, rising. 


THE BRADFORDS 


25 


with a little sigh; IVe had a lovely time, and 
Fm ever so much obliged to you” 

She held out her hand to Mr. Bradford as she 
spoke. He took it, and as he did so looked very 
long and earnestly into the eager little face. 

‘‘ What did you say your name was ? ” he asked 
suddenly, and his voice did not sound quite as 
it had sounded before. 

“ Winifred Meredith,^’ rephed the little girl 
promptly. 

Meredith, Meredith,’’ Mr. Bradford re- 
peated, as if he were trying to remember some- 
thing that puzzled him,. Then he added in a 
different tone. “ Well, Winifred, remember you 
are to come and play with me. I shall expect 
you to-morrow.” 

“ I’ll come,” said Winifred; that is if Aunt 
Estelle will let me, and I guess she will. I’ll 
come whenever you want me to until you get 
well.” 

A shadow crossed the sick man’s face, but he 
said nothing, only as they were on their way 
downstairs Mrs. Bradford said sadly : 

“We don’t talk to Mr. Bradford about getting 
well, because I am afraid he will never be well 
again.” 

“ Oh, how very sad,” exclaimed Winifred, the 


26 WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

sympathetic tears starting to her eyes, '' I’m very 
sorry — has he always been this way? ” 

“ No, indeed, that is the saddest part of it. 
Until two years ago he was as well and strong 
as anyone, and so devoted to all kinds of out- 
door sports. Then one day he had a terrible fall 
from his horse, and injured his spine very badly. 
He has never walked since, and I am afraid he 
never will again.” 

“ It must be very dreadful to have to lie still all 
the time,” said Winifred, solemnly. 

“ It is very dreadful, and what is even worse, 
he often has to suffer a great deal of pain. He 
is very good and patient, and we do all we can 
for him, but he is sometimes very lonely, and I 
know it would be a great pleasure to him to have 
you come to see him; you must ask your aunt to 
let you. Now, good-by, dear; run home as fast 
as you can, for it is beginning to get dark.” 

She kissed Winifred affectionately, and stood 
at the door watching the little girl as she ran 
down the street, until she saw her safely on the 
steps of number Forty-eight. What she did not 
see, however, was, that before Winifred had time 
to ring the doorbell, the front door was hastily 
opened from the inside, and there stood Uncle 
Will and Aunt Estelle, both looking rather 
frightened. 


THE BRADFORDS 


27 


“ Winifred, where have you been all this 
time? ” exclaimed Aunt Estelle in a tone of de- 
cided relief. “ I came in five minutes ago, and 
when Norah told me you hadn’t come home yet 
I was nearly frightened to death. Uncle Will 
was just starting out to look for you.” 

“ Oh, Aunt Estelle, I’m so sorry,” said Wini- 
fred, penitently. I didn’t mean to frighten 
anybody, but I was having such a nice time, and 
I never thought how late it was till I heard the 
clock strike five.” 

‘‘Having such a nice time, were you?” 
laughed Uncle Will; “ well, that’s a pretty good 
excuse, but where were you having a nice time? ” 

“ Why,” said Winifred, “ I went to see the 
Bradfords; Aunt Estelle said I might know them. 
They weren’t the right ones, after all, not the 
book ones I mean, and there weren’t any children 
at all, but they were very kind, and, oh. Uncle 
Will, Mr. Bradford has such a dreadful disease. 
He has to lie on the sofa all the time and suffer 
pain. He wants me to come and see him again 
to-morrow, and I said I would if you would let 
me, and I was sure you would, because you’d 
feel so sorry for him when you heard all about 
it.” 


CHAPTER III 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 

W HEN Winifred came down to breakfast 
the next morning she found her uncle 
and aunt in earnest conversation. 
Aunt Estelle held an open letter in her hand, 
which she had just been reading aloud. 

“ Well, Winnie,’^ said Mr. Meredith, as his lit- 
tle niece put up her face for his morning kiss, 
you seem to have made an impression yester- 
day afternoon. Aunt Estelle has just received a 
note from your friend Mrs. Bradford, asking if 
we will allow you to visit them often.’’ 

Winifred looked immensely flattered. 

‘‘ I’m so glad,” she said. Mr. Bradford said 
he wanted someone to come and play with him, 
and I told him I liked quiet, sitting-still games 
best. May I go this afternoon. Aunt Estelle? ” 
Aunt Estelle looked a little doubtful. 

I hardly know what to say,” she said to her 
husband. I don’t know anything about these 
28 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 


29 

people; still, I can’t see what harm it could pos- 
sibly do' — this note is certainly written by a 
lady.” 

“ Oh, let her go by all means,” said Mr. Mere- 
dith with decision. “ I’ve heard something of 
this man Bradford. They are Western people, 
I fancy, who inherited a fortune a few years agoi 
He drove fast horses, and was something of a 
sport until he met with his accident. Poor fel- 
low, it must be a hard life, chained to a sofa from 
one year’s end tO' another, and if our little Win- 
nie can give him any amusement. I’m sure I’m 
glad of it.” 

So the matter was settled much to> Wini- 
fred’s satisfaction and soon after lunch that day 
she started for her second visit to the Bradfords. 

This time the maid did not ask for her mes- 
sage, but greeted her with a pleased smile of 
recognition, and told her to go straight up to 
Mr. Bradford’s room. Mrs. Bradford was out, 
she added, but Mr. Bradford was expecting her. 

Winifred found the invalid lying on his sofa 
as before, but he was not alone to-day, for a tall 
man with gray hair was addressing envelopes 
at the table. At sight of his little visitor Mr. 
Bradford’s pale face brightened. 

So,” he said with a smile, “ you haven’t 


30 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


forgotten your promise, after all? I was half 
afraid I should never see you again.” 

“ I said rd come,” said Winifred simply. 
“ Aunt Estelle got Mrs. Bradford’s letter this 
morning, and she said to tell you I might come 
whenever you want me, only you must please 
promise to send me home just as soon as I begin 
to bother.” 

^‘All right, that’s a bargain. Now, suppose 
you take off your things, and we’ll begin to en- 
joy ourselves. I’ve got several games here; I 
wonder which one would be most entertaining. 
I don’t know much about any of them myself; 
Mrs. Bradford bought them this morning on the 
chance of my having somebody to play with 
me.” 

‘‘ Perhaps I’d better go home and come some 
Other day? ” said Winifred, with a rather shy 
glance at the man with gray hair. You’ve got 
company.” 

“ Oh, no, I haven’t; that’s only Brown, my 
attendant. When a man has to lie flat on his 
back all day long, it’s rather necessary that he 
should have an attendant, you know. Brown 
will get out the games.” 

Five minutes later Mr. Bradford and his small 
visitor were deeply absorbed in a game of 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 


31 


Messenger Boy.’’ Brown lingered for a few 
minutes, to see that all was well, and then went 
away, leaving the two friends alone together. 

“ Messenger Boy ” proved most fascinating, 
and they played several games, but at last Mr. 
Bradford was seized by a severe fit of coughing, 
after which he seemed so exhausted, and looked 
so white, that Winifred — who was a very 
thoughtful little girl — proposed that they should 
not play any m.ore. 

“ Perhaps you would like to have me read to 
you ? ” she suggested. I brought ‘ Bessie at the 
Seaside.’ I thought you might like that on ac- 
count of its being about ‘ The Book Bradfords.’ ” 

Mr. Bradford said he should be delighted to 
make the acquaintance of that very interesting 
family, so Winifred settled herself comfortably in 
the low chair by the invalid’s sofa, and began to- 
read. She read very well for a little girl, and 
Mr. Bradford really seemed interested in the 
story. He did not fall asleep, as Uncle Will was 
apt to do when his little niece read aloud to him, 
and once when Winifred paused to turn a page, 
he inquired in a tone of anxiety: “ Am I not to 
hear any more? I really must know whether 
Maggie and Bessie found any letters at the post 
office before you go- home.” 


32 


WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


Mrs. Bradford came in before Winifred left, 
and she seemed much pleased to see the little girl 
again. 

“ I am so glad your aunt let you come,” she 
said, kissing her; you have no idea how anx- 
ious Mr. Bradford was to have you.” 

Aunt Estelle says I may come as often as 
you want me,” Winifred explained. She didn’t 
seem sure at first, but Uncle Will said he had 
heard about Mr. Bradford.” 

Did he say what he had heard about me? ” 
Mr. Bradford inquired, with evident interest. 

I don’t think I remember just the words,” 
said Winifred. “ It was something about inher- 
iting a fortune, and^ — oh, I remember, he said 
you were something of a sport before you got 
hurt. What’s a sport, Mr. Bradford? ” 

Something that isn’t good for anyone to 
be,” Mr. Bradford answered, and he suddenly 
turned his face to the wall, with such a long, tired 
sigh, that Winifred felt sure she had stayed quite 
long enough. 

“ I hope I haven’t tired you very much,” she 
said rather timidly, as she rose to go. Per- 
haps I oughtn’t to have stayed so long.” 

“ Not a bit of it,” said Mr. Bradford heartily; 
‘'you have given me a pleasanter afternoon 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 


33 


than Tve had in many a long day. Do you think 
you will be able to come again to-mormw? ” 

I will if I can,” said Winifred, very much 
flattered by this invitation. 

“All right, I shall expect you, and suppose 
you leave the book here, so that I can have the 
pleasure of hearing some more about the ‘ Book 
Bradfords.’ ” 

Winifred was very happy as she ran home that 
afternoon. It certainly was a very delightful ex- 
perience to be told that she had done someone 
good. Nobody had ever seemed to consider her 
of any particular importance before. 

“ Is Uncle Will in yet? ” was her first eager 
question, as Norah opened the front door. Win- 
ifred was very fond of her good-natured, kind- 
hearted uncle. 

Instead of answering at once Norah drew her 
quickly into the hall and closed the door. When 
she did speak it was in a low, rather mysterious 
whisper. 

“ You’re to go right up to the nursery, Mr. 
Meredith said so; there’s company in the parlor.” 

“ Who is it? ” inquired Winifred in astonish- 
ment. The Merediths frequently had visitors, 
but there was nothing at all mysterious about 
any of them. 


34 


WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


Blessed if I know,” said Norah. It’s a 
lady, anyhow, and she’s been waitin’ nearly the 
whole afternoon to see Mr. Meredith. Now, run 
off upstairs, darlin’, like a good girl. Josephine’s 
out, but I’ve lit the gas in the nursery, and the 
fire’s burnin’ nice and bright.” 

Winifred obeyed, but all the way upstairs she 
kept wondering and wondering why Norah 
should have hurried her off so quickly, and why 
the parlor door should have been closed. How- 
ever, there was no use in wasting time over idle 
speculations, especially when it was the chil- 
dren’s bed hour, so, like the faithful little doll 
mother she was, Winifred was soon absorbed in 
the interesting occupations of taking Lily-Bell’s 
temperature, and administering a lecture to Vio- 
let-May for having lost one of her shoes. 

She had just finished tucking her last child 
comfortably in bed, when she heard footsteps 
coming up the stairs, and Uncle Will himself 
came rather hurriedly into the nursery. 

Oh, Uncle Will,” cried Winifred, scrambling 
to her feet, “ I’m so glad to see you. I wanted 
to see you when I came in, but Norah said you 
had company. Has the company gone now? ” 
''No,” said Uncle Will, "she has not gone; 
she is going tO' spend the night.” 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 


35 


Winifred looked interested. 

“ Will she sleep in the guest room,’^ she in- 
quired, like Miss Derby did when she was here? 
and what is her name, Uncle Will? ” 

Mr. Meredith, who was looking rather grave 
and worried, did not answer at once, but sitting 
down, lifted Winifred ontO' his knee. 

“ Her name is Mrs. Smith,’’ he said, and, 
Winnie, dear, I want you to be very good to 
her.” 

Winifred’s eyes opened very wide, indeed. Mr. 
Bradford had just been telling her that she had 
done him good, and now here was Uncle 
Will asking her to be good to someone else. 
Things were certainly changing very fast 
indeed. 

“ She has traveled a long way,” Mr. Meredith 
continued, somewhat uneasily, “ all the way from 
California, and she is very tired and sad. She 
had a little girl of her own once something like 
you, and — and she is very anxious to see you, 
but you mustn’t be frightened if she should act 
a little strangely just at first; she is nervous and 
excited, you know.” 

‘‘ I won’t be frightened,” said Winifred with 
decision. Mrs. Bradford once had a little girl, 
too, but she died when she was only two years 


36 WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

old ; Mrs. Bradford ’most cried when she told me 
about it. Where is the lady, Uncle Will? ” 

'' In the parloir, and I have come to bring you 
down to see her. Will you come with me now? ” 

Winifred’s only reply was to slip off her uncle’s 
knee, and follow him silently downstairs. In 
spite of her assurance that she would not be 
frightened, she felt suddenly and unaccountably 
shy, and her heart began to beat very fast as they 
approached the parlor door. 

The strange lady was standing by the fire- 
place, with her back to the door, but as Mr. 
Meredith and his little niece entered the room 
she turned, took a few quick steps towards them, 
with both hands outstretched, then suddenly 
stopped short, and stood quite still, clutching her 
hands together, and gazing at Winifred with 
such a strange expression in her eyes, that for 
a moment the child drew back, clinging tightly 
to her uncle’s hand. 

‘‘ Winifred,” said Mr. Meredith, and his voice 
was not quite steady, although he appeared to be 
making a great effort to speak cheerfully, this 
is Mrs. Smith; won’t you tell her that you are 
glad to see her? ” 

Then Winifred, being rather a brave little girl, 
on the whole, made one good effort to conquer 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 


37 

her fears, and walked straight up to the strange 
lady. 

'' Fm very pleased to see you/’ she said, and 
as she spoke she looked up intO' the lady’s face. 
It was the very loveliest face she had ever seen, 
Winifred felt sure of that even at the first glance. 
Mrs. Smith had large dark eyes, not unlike Win- 
ifred’s own, and light fluffy hair, but it was not 
the eyes or the hair that especially attracted the 
little girl. It was the look in the stranger’s face 
that told her, without one word being spoken, 
that this lady loved her very much. 

Winifred held out her hand, and for a moment 
Mrs. Smith held it fast, in a clasp so tight as to 
be almost painful. Then she bent down until her 
lips were on the level with Winifred’s ear. 

Won’t you give me a kiss, little Winifred? ” 
she whispered, and, oh, what a world of love and 
longing there was in the sweet, quivering voice. 

How it was, Winifred never knew, but almost 
before she realized what she was doing, both 
arms were around the strange lady’s neck, and 
she had given not one, but half a dozen hearty 
kisses. 

Mrs. Smith uttered a kind of stifled cry, and 
dropping down on her knees, gathered the little 
girl into her arms, holding her so tightly, so 


38 WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

tightly, while she showered kisses on her lips, 
her cheeks, her eyes. It was all very strange in- 
deed, but somehow Winifred did not feel afraid 
any more. She nestled close in the loving arms, 
feeling as if she wanted to cry, but not because 
she was unhappy, rather because she was happier 
than she had ever been in her life before. 

But this only lasted a very few moments, for 
Mr. Meredith — who had been restlessly pacing 
up and down the room — said “ Mollie ’’ in a 
rather warning voice, and Mrs. Smith rose has- 
tily to her feet. She was trembling a little and 
her eyes were full of tears, but she gave Mr. 
Meredith a reassuring glance. 

'' Don’t be afraid. Will,” she said, and al- 
though her voice shook, it sounded quite bright 
and cheerful. Winifred will think me a very 
silly little woman if I cry, so I am going to laugh 
instead.” And she actually did begin to laugh, 
but in such an odd, nervous manner that Mr. 
Meredith looked alarmed, and told Winifred to 
run to the pantry and bring Mrs. Smith a glass 
of water. 

Winifred obeyed, and when she returned with 
the water, Mrs. Smith was sitting on the sofa, 
looking quite composed, although her eyes were 
red. 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 


39 

‘‘ Thank you, darling,” she said, taking the 
glass from Winifred^s hand; “you’re not afraid 
of me, are you? ” 

“ No,” said Winifred promptly. “ Uncle Will 
said you had come all the way from California, 
and were very tired and sad.” 

“ I was tired and sad,” said the lady smiling, 
“ but I am not any more now, because I have 
seen you, and you are so like the little girl I had 
once.” 

“ Am I? ” said Winifred, wondering if the lit- 
tle Smith girl could have been as pretty as her 
mother. “ Was she as old as I am? ” 

“ Not when I lost her; she was only a tiny girl 
then, but she would have been |ust your age.” 

Winifred thought she would like to ask some 
more questions about Mrs. Smith’s little girl, but 
she was afraid it might make the lady unhappy 
to talk about her, and just then Uncle Will put 
an end to the conversation by saying: 

“ Now, Winnie, suppose we take Mrs. Smith 
upstairs; Norah has been getting her room ready, 
and Aunt Estelle hasn’t come in yet.” 

Then they all went upstairs together, Mrs. 
Smith keeping tight hold of Winifred’s hand, 
and Mr. Meredith following with the visitor’s 
bag. At the door of the guest room Uncle 


40 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


Will left them, and Winifred would have gone 
away, too, thinking Mrs. Smith might wish to 
rest after her journey, but her new friend would 
not let her. 

“ I want you to stay with me:,’' she said. '' I 
am not a bit tired now, and you can help me un- 
pack my bag.” 

Winifred was delighted with this invitation, 
and in a few minutes was chattering away to the 
strange lady as if she had known her all her life, 
while Mrs. Smith, who had apparently quite re- 
covered from her agitation, talked and laughed 
in her turn, only stopping every little while to- 
give Winifred a kiss. When she had taken off 
her hat, and opened her traveling bag, the very 
first article she took from it was a parcel wrapped 
in tissue paper, which she handed to Winifred. 

“ This is for you,” she said. “ I have brought 
it all the way from San Francisco on purpose for 
you.” 

Winifred’s eyes shone with excitement as she 
unrolled the paper, but when its contents were 
revealed tO' her, she uttered a little scream, of un- 
controllable delight. Such a beautiful doll, al- 
most the most beautiful that Winifred had ever 
seen. She had blue eyes and long yellow hair, 
was dressed in a beautiful pink ball dress, and 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 


41 


wore over her shoulders a white satin opera cloak 
trimmed with swansdown. 

‘‘ She has a whole trunk full of other clothes,” 
Mrs. Smith explained, “ but that was too big to 
come in my bag, so it has been sent by express. 
Do you like her, darling? ” 

“ Like her? Oh, Mrs. Smith, how good you 
are! ” And with a sudden impulse, Winifred 
threw her arms around her new friend’s neck 
again, and hugged her. 

Then Mrs. Smith showed Winifred how the 
different garments were taken off, and pointed 
out two strings, which, when pulled in a certain 
manner, caused the dqjl tO' say papa ” and 
mamma ” quite distinctly. 

“ She’s the loveliest thing I ever saw,” said 
Winifred, hugging her new treasure tO' her heart. 
“ I think I shall have to take her in and intro- 
duce her to Rose-Florence and the rest. 
They’re all in bed, but even if they sho-uld be 
asleep they would have to be woke up to see their 
new sister.” 

Mrs. Smith laughed, and then she went with 
Winifred to the nursery, and was herself pre,- 
sented to Lord Fauntleroy, Rose-Florence, Vio^ 
let-May and Lily-Bell. 

“ And what do you think you will call the new 


42 


WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


sister/’ she inquired, when she had duly admired 
the other members of the family. 

Winifred hesitated. 

“ It seems as if she ought tO' have a very grand 
name,” she said, “ on account of her being such 
a very grand doll, but I should like to call her after 
you. What is your name, Mrs. Smith? ” 

“ When I was a little girl people used to call 
me Mollie,” said Mrs. Smith, smiling, '' but Mol- 
lie isn’t much of a name compared tO' Rose-Flor- 
ence and Violet-May.” 

“ I think Mollie is a very pretty name,” said 
Winifred, “ and I am going to call her it if you 
don’t mind.” 

Mrs. Smith said she would not mind in the 
least, but should feel very much honored, and 
just then Aunt Estelle came hurrying into the 
nursery, looking rather flushed and excited, and 
the visitor rose to greet her. 

The two ladies were evidently old friends, for 
they kissed each other, and Aunt Estelle looked 
for a moment as if she were going tO' cry. She 
did not sit down, but after talking rather ner- 
vously to the visitor for a few minutes, she 
glanced at the clock. 

“ I’m so sorry,” she said rather apologetically, 
‘‘ but I must go and dress. We have some peo- 



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AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 


43 

pie coming to dinner; I hope you won’t mind. 
Of course we shouldn’t have asked them if we 

had had the least idea ” 

Oh, I don’t mind in the least,” said Mrs. 
Smith; ‘‘ that is, if you will let me have my tea 
quietly with Winifred. Indeed, I should much 
prefer it tO' anything else.” 

Mrs. Meredith looked relieved, and so the mat- 
ter was settled, greatly to Winifred’s satisfaction. 
What an evening that was. Winifred felt quite 
sure, when she thought of it afterwards, that it 
was the very happiest evening she had ever 
known. She and Mrs. Smith had tea together, 
and the visitor appeared to relish milk toast and 
apple sauce fully as much as Winifred did, and 
informed the little girl that she infinitely pre- 
ferred tea to late dinner. Uncle Will came and 
talked to them while they ate. He and Mrs. 
Smith appeared to have a great deal to say to 
each other, and they spoke of people and places 
that Winifred had never heard of before. Aunt 
Estelle bustled in and out, talking all the time in 
her quick, nervous way, but she did not seem 
nearly so well acquainted with the visitor as 
Uncle Will did. Then at last, when it was nearly 
time for the dinner guests to arrive, Mrs. Smith 
and Winifred went back to the nursery, and the 


44 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


little girl sat in her new friend’s lap, and told her 
all about the Bradfords and ‘‘ The Bessie Books.” 

I suppose it was very silly to think I could 
really find people out of a book,” she said in con- 
clusion. Aunt Estelle says that people in 
stories are only make-believe, and even if Mag- 
gie and Bessie were alive they would be grown 
up now, because Aunt Estelle had the books 
when she was a little girl, but I never thought of 
that.” 

Mrs. Smith said she did not think it was at all 
silly, and that it only showed how well the books 
were written that Winifred should have thought 
the characters, real, and then she asked a great 
many questions about the little girl’s life. There 
was no doubt of the fact that Mrs. Smith was 
interested in things. She wanted tO' hear about 
everything that Winifred had ever seen or done, 
and once when the little girl said something 
about being just a little lonely sometimes with 
only dolls to play with, Mrs. Smith’s eyes sud- 
denly filled with tears. 

It was very delightful to lie in Mrs. Smith’s 
arms, and to be talked to by that sweet, loving 
voice, and every minute it seemed to Winifred 
that that she was getting to love this new friend 
better and better. She hoped that Mrs. Smith 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 


45 

was going to make a very long visit. But, alas! 
all pleasant things have to end some time, and 
long before Winifred had any idea that it could 
be nearly so late, the clock struck eight. 

I’m afraid I shall have to go toi bed now,” 
said Winifred, with a regretful sigh; eight 
o’clock is my bedtime.” 

Mrs. Smith’s arms tightened about the little 
figure in her lap, as if she could not bear to let it 
go. 

Wait a little longer,” she said, ‘‘ just until 
your nurse comes for you.” 

‘‘ I haven’t any nurse,” said Winifred. 

Josephine, Aunt Estelle’s maid, helps me some- 
times, but this is her evening out. I can undress 
myself all right, I often do.” 

'' Suppose you let me undress you to-night,” 
Mrs. Smith suggested. ‘‘ I should love to dO' it, 
and it would seem as if I had my own little girl 
back again. I always put her to bed myself 
every night until I lost her.” 

Winifred was much pleased at this idea, and 
she submitted with some amusement while her 
new friend undressed her, just as if she were a 
little baby instead of a big girl of nine. She 
wondered what Josephine would think of such 
doings. Josephine was always telling her she 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


46 

ought to be ashamed to ask for any help at her 
age. When Mrs. Smith was braiding her hair 
she suddenly paused with one of the long, soft 
tresses in her hand. 

'' May I have this, dear? ’’ she asked a little 
wistfully. “ I should like it very much, and it 
would never be missed, your hair is so thick.'’ 

Winifred thought this a rather funny request, 
but she consented very willingly^ and Mrs. Smith 
cut off the long tress with the scissors, and wrap- 
ping it in a bit of paper, laid it tenderly away in 
her purse. 

“ Was your little girl's hair the same color as 
mine? " Winifred asked softly. 

“ Yes, darling, just the same shade." 

What was her name? " inquired Winifred, 
beginning to feel a good deal of interest in this 
other little girl, who appeared to have been so 
much like her. 

Mrs. Smith bent to kiss her as she answered, 
with an odd little quiver in her voice: 

“ Why, that is just the funny part of it; her 
name was Winifred, just like yours." 

At last all the preparations for bed were com- 
pleted, and Winifred, in her little white night 
gown, was just going to kneel down beside the 
bed to say her prayers, when Mrs. Smith said: 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 


47 


‘‘ Suppose you say your prayers at my knee 
to-night, as my baby Winifred used to do.” 

So Winifred knelt doAvn at her new friend’s 
side, and folding her hands, reverently repeated 
the little prayer she had said every night since 
she could remember. When she raised her head 
again she saw that Mrs. Smith’s eyes were full 
of tears, and her face all quivering as it had been 
in the afternoon. With a sudden loving im- 
pulse, the little girl sprang into her lap, and 
clasped both arms around her neck. 

“ Oh, Mrs. Smith, dear,” she whispered, 
please don’t cry. I’m so very sorry about your 
little girl, but if she’s gone to Heaven, she must 
be very happy. It says in books that people are 
always happy in Heaven, and I’m sure they must 
be.” 

Tell me, darling,” said Mrs. Smith, holding 
her close, do you remember who taught you to 
say that little prayer? ” 

A puzzled, far-away look came into Winifred’s 
eyes. 

“ I can’t remember,” she said slowly; '' it was 
a very long time ago. I don’t think it was Aunt 
Estelle, and I know it wasn’t Josephine, but I 
can’t imagine who it could have been. Some- 
times I think it must have been my mother.” 


48 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


“ You don’t remember your mother, do you, 
dear? ” 

No, I think she must have died when I was^ 
a baby, and my father, too, for I don’t remember 
either of them. It must be beautiful to have a 
father and mother, don’t you think so, Mrs. 
Smith? ” 

Mrs. Smith did not answer, but sat quite still, 
holding the little girl close in her arms. It was 
very quiet in the nursery, the only sound was the 
ticking of the clock. Winifred did not like toi speak 
to disturb Mrs. Smith, whom she felt sure must 
be thinking about her little girl, and before long 
a delicious drowsiness began to steal over her, 
her eyes drooped, and she fell fast asleep. 

She woke up once, just for a minute, as Mrs. 
Smith was laying her in bed, and murmured 
sleepily: 

‘‘Good-night, dear Mrs. Smith; I hope you’re 
going to stay a very long time, because I love 
you so very much.” 

Then she fell asleep again, and knew nothing 
more until she woke to find that it was morning, 
and that Josephine was standing beside her bed, 
saying in her rather sharp, unpleasant voice: 

“Time to get up. Mademoiselle Winifred; 
what a sleepy-head you are, to be sure.” 


CHAPTER IV 


WISHES 

W INIFRED sat up in her bed and rubbed 
her eyes. Something very pleasant 
had happened, she knew, but for the 
first few moments she could not recollect what it 
was. Then all at once she remembered Mrs. 
Smith, and with a little joyful exclamation, 
jumped out of bed. 

All the time she was dressing she kept think- 
ing about her dear new friend, and picturing the 
pleasant things they would do together. They 
would go for long walks; perhaps Mrs. Smith 
would like to have her read aloud tO' her; oh, 
how very delightful it would all be. Josephine 
was never a very talkative person, and this morn- 
ing Winifred was so preoccupied with her own 
thoughts that she scarcely made a single remark 
during the process of dressing. She remem- 
bered that Josephine had objected tO' the last 
visitor, declaring that company always made ex- 
tra work for her, and she had an idea the maid 


49 


50 


WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


might not approve of Mrs. Smith’s visit either, 
so she wisely decided not to make any remark 
on that subject. 

When she was dressed Winifred decided that 
she would knock at Mrs. Smith’s doo-r, just to 
inquire if the visitor were ready for breakfast, 
but she had no sooner stepped out of the nursery 
into the hall than she discovered that the door 
of the guest room was standing wide open, and 
that the bed clothes were hanging over a chair. 

“ She must have gone down already,” the lit- 
tle girl said to herself, and ran gayly do'wnstairs, 
feeling sure she should find her friend in the din- 
ing room. 

Her uncle and aunt were at the breakfast table, 
but the visitor was nowhere to be seen. 

Where’s Mrs. Smith? ” she inquired, paus- 
ing on the threshold in astonishment. 

Nobody answered for a moment, then Mr. 
Meredith laid down his knife and fork, and held 
out his hand to his little niece. 

“ Come here, Winifred,” he said kindly. 

Winifred ran to his side, and put up her face 
for a kiss. 

“ Where’s Mrs. Smith? ” she repeated, her 
heart sinking with sudden fear; “ she isn’t in 
her room.” 


WISHES 


51 


Mrs. Smith has gone away/’ said Uncle Will. 

‘‘Gone away!” Winifred stood quite still, 
staring at her uncle in blank amazement, and 
feeling all at once as if something very dear and 
very beautiful had been suddenly taken away 
from her. 

“ Yes, she went away early this morning; she 
came for only one night.” 

“ But she’s coming back again, isn’t she? 
You said she came all the way from California.” 

Mr. Meredith shook his head sadly. 

“ She has gone back to California,” he said; 
“ she only came on business, she couldn’t stay 
long.” 

Winifred said nothing. There was a big lumip 
in her throat and her lips were quivering, but 
she did not cry. After a moment she went 
quietly over to her own chair and sat down. 
Uncle Will and Aunt Estelle were both regard- 
ing her attentively, but neither of them said any- 
thing until Norah had helped her to oatmeal. 
Then Aunt Estelle said pleasantly: 

“ What do you think, Winnie? I have an in- 
vitation for you.” 

Winifred looked up with a faint smile; that 
lump in her throat was still troubling her very 
much. 


52 


WINlFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


‘‘ Is it from Mrs. Smith?’’ she asked with a sud- 
den hope. What if Mrs. Smith had invited her 
little friend to come and make her a visit. Wini- 
fred had not a very clear idea as to how far it 
might be to California. Her aunt’s next words, 
however, sent her poor little heart down, down 
once more. 

'' No, but do you remember that I told you 
the other day I intended asking my friend Mrs. 
Bell about schools? Well, I did ask her yester- 
day, and she speaks so highly of the school where 
her little girl goes, that I have decided to send 
you there, provided I can get you admitted. 

Mrs. Bell thought you might like tO' know 
her little girl if you are going to- school together, 
and she has invited you to luncheon at her house 
on Saturday.” 

At any other time such a prospect would have 
been most delightful, for to know little girls had 
been one of Winifred’s most ardent desires, but 
just now even that dream had lost its charms. 

“ Do you want me to go? ” she asked, in a 
very low, submissive voice. 

‘‘ Yes, of course I do', and I know you will 
have a nice time. I have seen the little Bell girl 
only once or twice, but she seems a very at- 
tractive child, and is such a prim, quiet little 


WISHES 


53 

thing, that you are sure to suit each other. Her 
mother tells me she is devoted to reading.” 

Winifred’s face brightened a little. 

“ I’d like to go,” she said, but even then she 
couldn’t help thinking that half the pleasure of 
the visit would be gone now that she could not 
tell Mrs. Smith all about it when she came home. 
She had only known Mrs. Smith for about three 
hours, but in that short time all her warm, loving 
little heart had gone out to her. 

Not another word was said about the visitor 
during breakfast. Winifred tried hard to eat as 
usual, but every few moments.she had to stop and 
wink back the tears that seemed threatening to 
come splashing down on her plate, and just as 
soon as Uncle Will and Aunt Estelle pushed 
back their chairs, she also rose, and slipped 
quietly away to the nursery. 

The nursery was empty, Josephine having 
gone down to her breakfast after leaving the 
room to air. But Winifred did not heed the 
open windows. She walked straight to her 
corner, sat dowm, and took her new doll in her 
arms. All the other children were still in bed, 
but Mollie was sitting disconsolately on the sofa, 
looking rather forlorn, Winifred thought, in her 
fine pink ball dress. 


54 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


ril change your dress just as soon as your 
other clothes come,” she said consolingly, giv- 
ing the new treasure an encouraging squeeze. 

Fm sure it can’t be comfortable to have to 
wear a ball dress in the morning — but, oh, Mol- 
lie, Fm very unhappy to-day. Dear Mrs. Smith 
has gone away, and Fm afraid we shall never see 
her again.” And now the tears would come, 
and the choking sobs too. 

When Josephine came up from her breakfast 
she found Winifred busy dressing Violet-May. 
There were still traces of tears on the little face, 
but Josephine was not a very observing person, 
and perhaps she did not notice them. 

“ What for you come here now? ” she de- 
manded sharply, relapsing into broken English, 
as she always did when anything vexed her. 
‘‘ Could you not see that the windows were open? 
You will have a cold.” 

“ No, I won’t,” said Winifred reassuringly. 

Fm quite warm. I didn’t notice that the win- 
dows were open, but Fm not a bit cold.” 

'' Well, hurry and get ready now. Madame 
says you may go with her to market if you wish.” 

To be invited to go out with Aunt Estelle was, 
in Winifred’s opinion, an honor not to be 
slighted, and she made haste to put on her hat 


WISHES 


55 


and jacket, leaving the children’s toilets to be 
completed at another time. But somehow the 
walk did not prove as much of a success as usual. 
Aunt Estelle was very kind. She talked to 
Winifred more than was her custom, and even 
asked several questions about the Bradfords, but 
she did not speak of Mrs. Smith, and a certain 
shyness kept Winifred from mentioning the sub- 
ject herself, much as she would have liked to do 
so. 

When Mrs. Meredith had finished her market- 
ing, she brought her little niece home before 
hurrying off to keep other engagements, and 
Winifred, feeling more lonely and forlorn than 
she could ever remember having felt before in 
her life, went back to the nursery to spend a 
solitary morning with the dolls. Norah was 
busy sweeping, and consequently unavailable for 
conversation, and Josephine sewed in silence. 

A pleasant tittle diversion came at luncheon 
time, when Aunt Estelle told her she had seen 
the teacher of the school Mrs. Bell had recom- 
mended, and had made arrangements with her 
to have Winifred begin her studies on the follow- 
ing Monday mbrning. 

It is not a regular school,” she explained, 
“ only a small private class. I believe there are 


56 WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

not more than a dozen little girls all together, 
but that will make it all the pleasanter for you, 
and Mrs. Bell says Miss Lothrop, the teacher, is 
charming.” 

Winifred was easily interested, and asked a 
good many questions about the school and the 
children, all of which her aunt answered as well 
as she could. Still, she did not feel quite like 
herself, and Mrs. Meredith noticed with regret 
that the pale little face was paler than usual, and 
the big eyes more solemn and wistful. 

What would you like to do this afternoon? ” 
she asked, as they rose from the luncheon table. 

“ I think ril go and read to Mr. Bradford,” 
said Winifred. “ He is very much interested in 
* Bessie at the Seaside,^ and I told him I would 
come again to-day if I could.” 

“ Very well, dear, go if you like, only don’t 
stay too long. If Mr. Bradford should have any 
other visitor, perhaps it would be better for you 
not to stay at all. Grown up people don’t al- 
ways care to be bothered by little girls, you 
know.” 

Mrs. Meredith had no' intention of saying any- 
thing unkind, but sensitive children do not like 
to hear that they may be regarded as bothers. 
Tke quick tears started to Winifred’s eyes, and 


WISHES 


57 

she turned away quickly that her aunt might not 
see them. 

It was very unpleasant to be a bother to peo- 
ple, she thought, as she went slowly upstairs, 
and she decided that she would not go> to see Mr. 
Bradford that afternoon after all. 

Mr. Meredith had made no objection to his lit- 
tle niece’s going out on the sidewalk by herself, 
so Winifred decided that she might as well go 
for another solitary walk as do anything else. 
Somehow she did not seem to feel much like 
reading that day; she could not get up an interest 
even in “ The Bessie Books.” Her intention to go 
out was strengthened by Josephine, who in- 
formed her that the nursery was going to be 
swept, SO', putting on her hat and jacket, she 
started for her walk, carrying Mollie in her arms. 

“ I don’t think a ball dress is exactly the right 
thing to wear in the street,” she said a little 
doubtfully, as she stood contemplating her new 
daughter, “ but I suppose you’ll like tO' see New 
York, because you’ve never been here before, 
and you don’t feel very well acquainted with the 
others yet, so I guess I’ll take you even if you 
do look a little too much dressed.” 

It was a dull, cloudy afternoon, with a sharp 
east wind blowing, and Winifred had to walk 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


58 

fast in order to- keep from feeling chilled. When 
she reached number Twenty-two she paused and 
glanced rather wistfully up at the windows, but 
in another moment walked resolutely on again. 

'' I don’t want to be a bother,” she said to 
herself; “ I won’t go in to-day.” 

She walked the length of the block several 
times, trying to find amusement in pointing out 
objects of interest to Mollie. 

That’s Fifth Avenue,” she explained, as they 
reached the corner; “ perhaps you may have 
heard about Fifth Avenue before, Mollie? I 
wish I could take you tO' walk there, but I prom- 
ised Aunt Estelle I wouldn’t cross any streets. 
It would be very nice if you could talk, Mollie, 
and tell me about California, especially about the 
part of it where Mrs. Smith lives.” 

She was passing number Twenty-two for the 
fourth time, when, happening to glance up at the 
house, she saw Mrs. Bradford standing in the 
window, looking up and down the street, as if in 
search of someone. When she saw Winifred, 
her face brightened suddenly, and she smiled and 
nodded pleasantly. Winifred returned the smile, 
and was moving on again steadily, when the lady 
tapped on the window glass, and beckoned to her 
to come in. 


WISHES 


59 


With a heart beating with sudden hope, 
Winifred ran up the steps and rang the 
door bell. Mary speedily admitted her, and 
Mrs. Bradford called from the top of the 
stairs : 

Come right up, Winifred dear, Mr. Bradford 
has been expecting you for some time, and we 
were beginning to be afraid you were going to 
disappoint us to-day.” 

Does Mr. Bradford really want me? ” Wini- 
fred asked anxiously, as Mrs. Bradford bent to 
kiss her. 

“ Indeed, he does; he was so disappointed when 
he thought you were not coming, and I was 
looking out for you, but why were you going to 
pass the house? ” 

Winifred blushed and hung her head. 

Aunt Estelle said that little girls were some- 
times a bother to grown-up people,” she said, 
with a little catch in her voice, “ and — and I 
didn’t want to be a bother.” 

What’s that I hear about being a bother? ” 
called Mr. Bradford from his sofa. “ Don’t you 
know I am pining to hear more about my friends 
the ‘ Book Bradfords? ’ I actually lay awake a 
good part of the night worrying lest baby Annie 
shouldn’t recover from her illness. But, halloa! 


6o 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


who is this very grand young lady? Not Lily- 
Bell in a new costume, surely/’ 

No,” said Winifred, who was feeling sud- 
denly happier than she had felt since hearing 
that Mrs. Smith had gone back to California, 
this is quite a new doll — a very kind lady gave 
her to me yesterday.” 

“ What a beauty she is, too,” said Mr. Brad- 
ford, smiling. “ I really feel that I ought to be 
introduced to her.” 

'' I named her Mollie, after Mrs. Smith, the 
lady who gave her to me,” said Winifred, “ but 
she is such a very splendid doll that I think I 
shall have to call her Miss Mollie.” 

‘‘ Mollie Smith doesn’t sound like a very aris- 
tocratic name,” laughed Mr. Bradford. 

She is a very lovely person, though,” said 
Winifred, and in spite of herself her voice shook 
a little, ‘‘ she is the loveliest person I ever 
saw.” 

She must be very kind, I am sure, tO' give 
you such a beautiful doll,” Mrs. Bradford said 
kindly; “ is she a friend of your aunt’s, dear? ” 
Yes, at least I suppose she is, but I never saw 
her until yesterday. Norah said she asked tO' see 
Uncle Will.” 

‘'You never saw her until yesterday,” re- 


WISHES 


6i 


peated Mr. Bradford. She seems to have won 
your affection very quickly.” 

“ I love her,” said Winifred simply, “ I love 
her very much indeed.” 

“ I hope she appreciates the conquest she has 
made,” said Mr. Bradford, laughing. “ Do you 
expect to see her often?” 

Winifred's eyes filled with tears. 

‘‘ I'm afraid I shall never see her again,” she 
said unsteadily, “ she only stayed one night, and 
now has gone back to California.” 

“ Back to California,” repeated Mr. and Mrs. 
Bradford both together, and Mrs. Bradford 
added. “ You don't mean that she came all the 
way from California just for one night? ” 

“ Yes, she did,” said Winifred, but Uncle 
Will said she only came on business, so I'm 
afraid she won't do it again. Is California so 
very far off? ” 

“ Yes, it is very far off, indeed,” said Mrs. 
Bradford, beginning to look a little sad in her 
turn. I used to live in California myself when 
I was a little girl.” 

“ Did you really? ” said Winifred, much in- 
trested, “ then perhaps you knew Mrs. Smith.” 

‘‘ I have known several Mrs. Smiths at differ- 
ent times,” said Mrs. Bradford, smiling, but I 


62 WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

doubt if any of them happen to be your partic- 
ular friend.” 

“ My Mrs. Smith is the prettiest lady in the 
world,” said Winifred with conviction, “ so if you 
had ever seen her you couldn’t possibly have for- 
gotten.” 

Mrs. Bradford laughed, and called Winifred a 
dear, loyal little friend, and then Mr. Bradford 
asked if he was not to hear some more about the 
“ Book Bradfords.” 

“Or would you rather play games this after^ 
noon? ” he asked kindly. 

“ I think I would rather read/’ said Winifred, 
and in five minutes more she was deep in her 
story again, setting Mr. Bradford’s mind at rest 
as to the fate of the sick baby. 

Mrs. Bradford sat by with her sewing for a 
while, and then went away to attend to some 
household duties, telling Winifred to ring the 
bell if Mr. Bradford should want anything. Win- 
ifred read on for some time, but although the 
story was as fascinating as ever, she somehow 
found it rather hard work to concentrate her at- 
tention upon her book, and at last, having come 
to the end of a chapter, she looked up to inquire: 

“ Would you mind if we talked a little while 
now instead of reading any more? ” 


WISHES 63 

Mr. Bradford said he should enjoy talking 
very much. 

I should like to ask you some things about 
California,” said Winifred, closing her book as 
she spoke. ‘‘ Did you live there, too, the same 
as Mrs. Bradford? ” 

A shadow crossed Mr. Bradford’s face, and the 
drawn, suffering look that Winifred had seen 
once before came back into it. 

“ I used tO' live there,” he said, but I would 
rather not talk about it. You can ask Mrs. 
Bradford for all the information you want; I hate 
to- think of the place.” 

“ Is it such a very horrid place? ” Winifred 
questioned anxiously. '' I’m so sorry if it is, be- 
cause I suppose Mrs. Smith has to live there.” 

Some people consider it a most beautiful 
place,” Mr. Bradford said. “ I was very unhappy 
there, perhaps that is why I dislike it so 
much.” 

Winifred was silent, feeling somewhat embar- 
rassed. She thought that perhaps it was in Cal- 
ifornia Mr. Bradford’s little girl had died. If 
such were the case it would be only natural of 
course that he should have been unhappy there. 
There was a short pause, then the little girl re- 
marked, by way of changing the conversation: 


64 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


Wouldn’t it be lovely if the things that hap- 
pen in fairy stories could happen to real people?” 

“ What sort of things, for instance? ” Mr. 
Bradford inquired with a smile. Little girls 
being carried off by cruel witches, or princes 
being changed into frogs? ” 

Oh, no,” said Winifred, laughing, ‘‘ I wasn’t 
thinking of such things at all, only how lovely 
it would be if wishes could really come true the 
way they do in fairy stories.” 

Well, suppose an ugly old witch were to 
come flying down the chimney at this moment, 
and offer you three wishes, what would they be?” 

Mr. Bradford looked amused, but Winifred’s 
face was very grave. 

“ I know what the first one would be,” she said 
earnestly, “ it would be that I might have a 
mother.” 

'' A mother,” repeated Mr. Bradford, “ you 
wish you had a mother, eh? ” 

“ Oh, yes,” said Winifred, clasping her hands. 

To have a mother must be the most beautiful 
thing in the whole world. I should think the 
people who have mothers would always be 
happy.” 

‘‘ But you have your aunt, she is good to you, 
isn’t she? ” 


WISHES 


65 

“ Yes — oh, yes, indeed, but then you see, a 
mother is quite different from an aunt. I don’t 
suppose real mothers ever think their little girls 
are bothers. Mrs. Bradford in the books never 
did; I’m sure Mrs. Smith wouldn’t.” 

Mr. Bradford thought of some mothers he had 
seen who had certainly appeared to consider 
their little girls bothers, but he did not tell Wini- 
fred so, and there was another short pause, which 
the child broke by asking: 

“ If a witch were to offer you three wishes, 
what would your first one be? ” 

'' What do you suppose? ” 

“ I think I know,” said Winfred simply. 
“ That you might get well, and be able to walk 
again.” 

“ No, it wouldn’t,” said the invalid, and Wini- 
fred was puzzled by the strange, wistful expres- 
sion in his sad eyes. “ That might be the sec- 
ond, but the first would be something very dif- 
ferent.” 

“ I can’t think what it would be then,” said 
Winifred, wrinkling up her forehead in her per- 
plexity, unless that you should grow to be very, 
very good, like the people in ‘ The Wide, Wide 
World.’ That’s a book a lady at the hotel 
last summer gave me to read. It was very 


56 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


nice, but some of the people were terribly 
good” 

Vm afraid that would not be it either,” said 
Mr. Bradford, speaking more seriously than 
Winifred had heard him speak before. No, 
my first wish would be that I might change my 
life, or at least a part of it.” 

“ What part?” inquired Winifred, with natural 
curiosity. 

'' The part when I was what your uncle called 
a sport.” 

Winifred blushed. She was afraid she must 
have hurt Mr. Bradford’s feelings by repeating 
Uncle Will’s words, but at that moment Mrs. 
Bradford came back into the room, and nothing 
more was said on the subject of wishes. 


CHAPTER V 


NEW FRIENDS 

I T was with rather mixed feelings that Wini- 
fred prepared for her visit on Saturday morn- 
ing. Although she was naturally an inde- 
pendent little person, quick to make friends, and 
fond of talking to older people, this was the first 
occasion on which she had ever been invited to 
another little girl's house to luncheon. Aunt 
Estelle had gone out of town for the day, and 
Uncle Will was as usual at his office, so there 
was no one to whom to say good-by; that is, 
no one but good-natured Norah, who followed 
her as far as the front door just to tell her how 
nice she looked, and to add the cheering predic- 
tion that ‘‘ she was goin’ to have the grandest 
time as ever was." 

In spite -of this encouraging assurance, how- 
ever, Winifred’s heart beat uncomfortably fast, 
as she and Josephine neared their destination, a 
pleasant looking house on Madison Avenue, and 
67 


68 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


when they had mounted the steps and rung the 
door bell she began almost to wish that Mrs. 
Bell hadn’t asked her. 

A small boy in brass buttons opened the door, 
and greeted Winifred with a broad smile and 
the information that Miss Lulu would be right 
down. Miss Lulu had evidently been on the 
watch for her guest, for they had only just en- 
tered the front hall when a little girl with big 
blue eyes and long golden curls came bounding 
down the stairs. 

“ I’m so glad you’ve come,” she^aid, going 
straight up to Winifred, without the least sign 
of shyness, “ I’ve been watching for you for 
ever so long.” 

I should have liked to come earlier,” said 
Winifred, her own shyness melting away before 
the cordiality of her new acquaintance, but my 
aunt said it wouldn’t be polite to get here too 
long before lunch time.” 

‘‘ Well, perhaps next time she’ll let you come 
sooner. Now come up to the nursery and take 
off your things. Mamma and Aunt Daisy are 
out, but they’ll both be back in time for lunch. 
Please ask your maid to let you stay till real late. 
I’ve had my walk, and I don’t need to go out 
again all the afternoon.” 


NEm FRIENDS 


69 


Josephine, rather pleased at the prospect of 
having a little extra titne to herself, readily pitom- 
ised not to come before five o’clock, and the two 
little girls went upstairs together. 

Mamma says you’re going to Miss Loth- 
rop’s next Monday,? Winifred’s new acquaint- 
ance began, as the front door closed^ behind the 
maid. I 

''Yes, I am,” ^id Winifred; "J 
school?” ! 

" Oh, yes, veryj but it isn’t exattly school, 
you know, only a private class. Miss l^othrop 
never takes more |han ten girls at a tinie, and 
you will just mdke ^e tenth.” . ^ 

Is Miss Lothre^ a kind teacher? ” Winifred 
asked , a little arixioiily. ; 

" Yes, she’s Jirefty^ind. She has to beia little 
strict sometinjes, especially with the wilq ones, 
but she’sqwfully nicee: recess qnd after ^hool. 
I guess 11 litefe. I told the girls yO'|i were 
coming;?;^ Yo^^^i^e is Winifred,, isn’t itii” 

" Y^, and^iurs is Lulu, I heard, the b4y say 
so. Aunt;Estelle always calls you the littl^ Bell 

Lulu l^^pied. ' ' ^ 

" Every Dody calls me Lulu,*^-she said, " but 
my whole name is Louisa Maria, after my 


70 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


grandma, who died before I was born. When I 
grow up I mean to change it to Marie Louise. 
I think Louise Maria is very ugly, don’t 
you? 

“ It isn’t very pretty,” Winifred admitted, 
but then I don’t think Winifred is very pretty 
either,” she added politely. '' I was named for 
my great aunt. Uncle Will says she was very 
good, and everybody loved her, and that’s why 
I ought to like my name. Is this your nursery? 
Oh, what beautiful toys! ” And Winifred paused 
on the threshold in breathless admiration of the 
baby house, the toy kitchen, and the row of beau- 
tifully dressed dolls. 

Lulu was much flattered by her visitor’s evi- 
dent admiration, and she hastened to display her 
various treasures with pardonable pride. The 
two little girls were soon chattering away to each 
other as if they had been friends of months in- 
stead of minutes. 

“ Did your father and mother give you all 
these things?” Winifred inquired, suddenly paus- 
ing in her inspection of the baby-house parlor. 

“ Yes, most of them. Aunt Daisy gave me 
some, too, and I think I like those the very best, 
because she bought them all with the money she 
earned from her books.” 


NEW FRIENDS 


71 


Does your aunt write books? ” inquired 
Winifred, much impressed. 

Yes, beautiful ones. I heard papa say the 
other day that Aunt Daisy’s last book was a great 
success, and that all the newspapers were talking 
about it.” 

“ Does she ever write about you? ” WinifrecT 
asked, remembering her hope that someone 
might some time put her into a story, : ^ 

Lulu’s blue eyes opened wi^e in astonis^h^i^fifT^ 
“Of course not/’ sh^j^^^aid; “ never 

write books abo^^^-ya^i^tLrelati^ wrote a/ 
story myself last.-sUnffilW, b^^l^Ourse I mad*^ 
all up.” ^ ^ 

“ Did you a 1 

self?” in^^d 
pressed by i 

/ “ Yes^ it wa^^very eary. I think it was rather 
rnteresting, too. It began : ‘ I have all my life 

%ant6d to v^ite a book, and now take the op- 
f porfunity to do so,’ and I wrote at the top: ' this 
was written by Louisa Maria Bell in the 
tenth year of her age. To my mother this book 
is most affectionately dedicated.’ Papa and 
mamma read it, and they both laughed a good 
deal, and Aunt Daisy copied it on her type- 
writer.” 



yjotir own- 
more ana more im- 
r accomplishments. 


72 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


What’s a typewriter ? ” 

‘‘It’s a thing blind people write with; my 
Aunt Daisy is blind, you know.” 

“No, I didn’t know,” said Winifred; “she 
must be a very wonderful person.” 

“She is very wonderful,” Lulu agreed. “ She 
reads with her fingers, and writes on the type- 
writer, and does a great many other interesting 
things. After lunch I’ll ask her to let you see 
her books.” 

“ I should like that very much,” said Wini- 
fred, “ if you think she wouldn’t mind. Aunt 
Estelle doesn’t like to have people fuss with her 
things.” 

“ Aunt Daisy never minds anything,” Lulu 
asserted with conviction ; “ she’s the kindest per- 
son in the world.” 

“ It must be very sad to be blind,” said Wini- 
fred thoughtfully, “ but I don’t suppose it’s 
quite so bad as having to lie still all day like Mr. 
Bradford.” 

Lulu wanted tO' know who Mr. Bradford was, 
and that led tO' an account of Winifred’s first in- 
troduction to the Bradford family, and then it 
turned out that Lulu, too, had read “ The Bessie 
Books,” and was almost as fond of them as Wini- 
fred was. She delighted her new friend’s heart 


NEW FRIENDS 


73 


by telling her that there were more stories in 
which the “ Book Bradfords ” appeared, and by 
promising to lend them to her. And while they 
were still discussing some of their favorite char- 
acters, Lulu’s mother and her blind aunt came 
in. 

Both ladies greeteid their gue^t very kindly. 
Mrs. Bell was young and pretty, and had a 
bright, pleasant manner, but it was toward Miss 
Warren that Winifred Was particularly attracted. 
Miss Warren was not afe^l pretty; indeed, she 
was decidedly plain, but,!^^^had such a kind, 
sweet face, and winding voice, 

that WinifredJerf^l^^sb^ %)ul3'5rj^^i.liecwery 
dearly, an^l^s^iq^te^Jia Lulu 

in her the kindest 

pep& imfne 

^LuQiiimeo^^g^d off very | 




a^ntly. Wihi- 


/fred^a^j^^^ed to be a li^ sh}^t first, buts 
^ B^u^d Miss A^rren^ooin put her at her 

as for Lulti, she ’ c^attere'($^vay so ' 
^ / fre|lyf aild seerni^d on guc^'fery inflmke terms 
/ witf her mothet amJ^^.^jfHat Witfifr^ 

a€ her in astonish^ Never, eAj^n" in their 
;1kindest moment^*' would she have dreamed of 
/ talking, in Es- 

f telle. ■ 



74 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


Mrs. Bell was obliged to hurry away soon after 
luncheon, as she had an engagement with a 
friend, but before she left she kissed Winifred 
very kindly, and told her she must be sure and 
come to see Lulu just as often as she could. 
Then Lulu asked her aunt if she might take 
Winifred tO' see her books and typewriter, and 
Miss Warren agreeing very readily, they all went 
upstairs together, and Winifred was soon ab- 
sorbed in examining the wonderful new contriv- 
ances which the blind lady seemed to consider 
so simple. Miss Warren was very kind; she let 
both little girls write their names on her type- 
writer, and wrote out an alphabet in raised print 
for Winifred to take home. She was so bright 
and merry, too, that Winifred began to think 
that it could not be such a very dreadful thing 
after all to be blind. 

I think your aunt must love you very much,” 
she said to Lulu, when they had both gone back 
to the nursery, leaving Miss Warren to her writ- 
ing; “ she has such a kind look on her face when- 
ever she speaks to you.” 

Of course she does,” said Lulu with decision. 

“ I suppose that’s because she’s your truly 
aunt,” said Winifred, with a little sigh. ‘‘ You 
see it’s different with Aunt Estelle; she’s only 



She let both little g-irls write their names on her typewriter. 

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NEW FRIENDS 


75 


my aunt because she’s married to Uncle Will. 
That would make a difference; don’t you think 
so? ” 

I don’t know,” said Lulu, looking puzzled; 
“ doesn’t your aunt love you? ” 

Oh, yes, I guess she does, only you see she’s 
a very busy person, and sometimes I suppose I 
am a bother. Does your aunt ever tell you you 
are a bother? ” 

No, never,” said Lulu; '' I shouldn’t like it 
if she did.” 

“ I don’t suppose mothers ever do,” said Wini- 
fred; I wasn’t so sure about aunts. Have all 
the girls at Miss Lothrop’s got fathers and moth- 
ers? ” 

Most of them have, but Madge Rutherford’s 
father died last year, and Sybil Holt has a step- 
mother. I guess she’s a kind one, though, for 
Sybil always looks very happy, and now she’s got 
a baby brother. Sybil is one of the wild ones.” 

What do the wild ones do? ” Winifred asked. 

“ Oh, play horse, and make a great noise at re- 
cess. Sometimes they don’t behave very well 
either, and then Miss Lothrop has to be strict.” 

I think I should like to know the ones who 
haven’t any fathers or mothers,” said Winifred. 

Well, I’ll introduce you to them all on Mon- 


76 WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

day morning. I guess you’ll like them. Elsie 
Carleton may try to snub you, but you mustn’t 
mind her. She’s the oldest girl in school, and 
she brags dreadfully. She said her father is the 
richest gentleman in New York, and she has a 
live pony, and the most beautiful toys you ever 
saw. She gives beautiful parties too, and we 
all like to go to them, though we don’t like 
Elsie much. Papa says it isn’t right to criticise 
people, but it’s awfully hard not to sometimes.” 

That was a very pleasant afternoon; the two 
little girls played very happily together, and liked 
each other better every moment. They were 
much alike in their tastes, being both ac- 
customed to the society of older people, and each 
had a prim, old-fashioned little way of her own, 
which some people might have found very amus- 
ing. 

Before they parted they had decided to be 
great friends, and Lulu had promised to teach 
Winifred how to write a story. 

“ I like you better than any little girl I ever 
knew,” exclaimed Winifred, in a sudden burst of 
enthusiasm. 

“ And I like you ever and ever so much, too,” 
responded Lulu. “You must be my intimate 
friend all winter. Minnie Hunt was my intimate 


NEW FRIENDS 


77 


friend last year, but her father went in business 
out West, so they had to move away/^ 

When Josephine came at five o'clock it seemed 
hard to realize that the afternoon was over. The 
two little girls were on their way downstairs, 
when Miss Warren called to them from her room. 

“ Good-by, dear," she said, kissing the little 
girl with real affection ; ‘‘ you must come again 
very soon. We shall all be glad for Lulu to have 
such a dear little friend." 

Then Winifred hurried away, with a head full 
of pleasant memories tO' think over, and a heart 
full of affection for these kind, new friends. 


CHAPTER VI 


THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 

T here is always something rather excit- 
ing about one's first day at school, and 
Winifred’s heart beat fast that Monday 
morning as she and Aunt Estelle mounted the 
steps of the high building on West Forty-second 
Street in which Miss Lothrop held her private 
class. In answer toi Mrs. Meredith’s inquiry for 
Miss Lothrop, they were directed to a small 
room on the second floor, where they found a 
pleasant-faced young lady, whO' greeted Wini- 
fred very kindly. 

'' And now I will take you into the school- 
room and introduce you to some of your little 
companions,” the teacher said pleasantly when 
Winifred had taken off her hat and jacket, and 
Aunt Estelle had hurried away to keepi some 
morning engagements. ‘‘ It is rather early, and 
they are not all here yet, but I think we shall 
find several little girls.” 

Winifred, who was beginning to- feel rather 
78 


THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 


79 


shy at the prospect of meeting so many stran- 
gers, followed Miss Lothrop in silence across the 
hall to a large sunny room furnished with desks, 
maps, and other schoolroom belongings, and 
where some half dozen little girls were already 
assembled. All eyes were instantly turned upon 
the newcomer, but before Miss Lothrop could 
speak Lulu Bell came eagerly forward and 
greeted Winifred with a hearty kiss. 

'' I came early on purpose,’' she explained; 

I wanted to introduce you to the girls. Wini- 
fred’s my friend. Miss Lothrop; she spent the 
day at my house on Saturday.” 

Miss Lothrop smiled, and, saying she would 
leave Lulu to^ doi the honors, left the room. 

These are Ida and Gwen West,” began Lulu, 
with an air of importance, as she presented Wini- 
fred to two' little girls dressed just alike. “ They 
aren’t twins, though people generally think they 
are. Ida’s ten, and Gwen isn’t nine yet. This 
is Madge Rutherford, and this is Gertie Rossiter; 
I’ve told them all about you. The others haven’t 
come yet.” 

All the children greeted Winifred politely, and 
she found herself looking with particular interest 
at Madge Rutherford, remembering that Lulu 
had mentioned her as the little girl whose father 


8o 


WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


had died last year. She noticed that Madge 
wore a black sash and a black ribbon on her hair, 
but there were noi other signs of mourning about 
her, for she was a plump, jolly-looking little girl, 
with a round, merry face. 

You are to sit next to me,’’ whispered Lulu; 

I asked Miss Lothrop when I first came in, and 
she said you might.” 

I’m glad of that,” responded Winifred, giv- 
ing her friend’s hand an affectionate squeeze. 
“ Where’s the little girl you said had a step- 
mother? ” she added eagerly. 

“ Sybil Holt? oh, she hasn’t come yet. Yes, 
here she is now, and Bessie Winston, too. Sy- 
bil, Bessie, this is my friend, Winifred Mere- 
dith.” 

The two new arrivals shook hands with Wini- 
fred, and said they were glad to see her. Sybil, 
as the girl with a stepmother, was, of course, 
the more interesting of the two to Winifred, but 
she was slightly disappointed to observe that 
Sybil had freckles, and was decidedly plain. The 
arrival of another little girl, Carol Hastings, how- 
ever, cut short her speculations on this interest- 
ing subject. 

“ We’re all here now but Elsie,” said Lulu, 
looking around; ‘‘she’s late, as usual.” 


THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 8i 

Elsie’s always late,” Gertie Rossiter re- 
marked rather scornfully. “ She says she sits 
up so late at night she can’t wake up early in 
the morning, and her father won’t allow her to 
be disturbed.” 

“ My mother says she thinks it’s very bad for 
little girls to sit up late,” observed Lulu virtu- 
ously; “ I always gO' to bed at eight.” 

“ So do we,” chimed in the two Wests, who 
generally spoke at the same time. 

“ I go at half-past eight,” Madge informed 
them. “ What time do you go to bed? ” she 
added politely, turning to Winifred. 

While the subject of bed hours was still under 
discussion, Elsie Carleton arrived. She was a 
tall girl, several inches taller than any of the 
others; she was rather overdressed, and had an 
air about her of being a decidedly grown-up 
young lady. When Lulu introduced Winifred 
to her she just touched the tips of her fingers, 
and favored her with a long stare. She was 
rather a pretty child, but somehow Winifred felt 
less drawn toward her than toward any of the 
others. 

“ What did you say her name was? ” she in- 
quired in a somewhat languid voice, turning to 
Lulu. 


82 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


'' Winifred Meredith/’ said Lulu shortly. 

I thought Miss Lothrop wasn’t going to 
take any more girls this year,” said Elsie, care^ 
fully taking in every detail of Winifred’s dress 
as she spoke. “ Mamma was very particular to 
inquire before she would let me join.” 

At that moment the clock struck nine, and 
Miss Lothrop came in. 

After all, the first day of school did not prove 
nearly as formidable an occasion as Winifred had 
anticipated. Miss Lothrop was, as Lulu had 
said, a kind teacher, and as Winifred was not 
one of the wild ones,” she had no reason for 
being strict. Indeed, she had taken a liking at 
first sight to the sweet-faced, gentle little girl, 
and was anxious to make Winifred feel at home 
in her new surroundings as soon as possible. 
Winifred was not at all backward for her age. 
Miss Franklin, the lady who had taught her for 
the past two winters, had been an excellent 
teacher, and the little girl, always eager to learn, 
had made good use of her advantages. She was 
much gratified to* find herself placed in the same 
classes with her friend Lulu, who was nearly 
a year older, and in arithmetic, of which she had 
always been rather fond, was actually able to 
enter the class with Elsie. Although such a very 


THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 83 

grown-up young person in most things, Elsie 
was not at all fond of study, and in many of her 
lessons was behind girls fully two years her 
junior. 

At eleven o’clock Miss Lothrop rang the little 
bell on her desk. 

That’s for recess,” Lulu whispered in ex- 
planation to Winifred, as the teacher rose and 
left the room. Now we have fifteen minutes to 
play, and then lessons again till a quarter to 
one.” 

No sooner had the door closed behind Miss 
Lothrop than a perfect babel of little tongues 
began. Several of the children had brought 
crackers, cookies, or fruit with themi, and they 
at once began indulging in light refreshment. 
Winifred, not knowing of this custom, had 
brought nothing, but Lulu and Sybil Holt, each 
of whom was well supplied, eagerly offered to 
share with her. 

'' Take half my banana, do, please,” urged Sy- 
bil hospitably; ‘‘ I don’t want it^ really.” 

“ Thank you very much,” said Winifred, ac- 
cepting the proffered refreshment. ‘‘ I’m very 
glad to know you,” she added impulsively, draw- 
ing a little nearer tO' her new acquaintance, be- 
cause Lulu told me you haven’t any mother.” 


84 WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

'' Fve got a stepmother/' announced Sybil, 
with her mouth full. 

“ Yes, I know, but that isn't the same as a real 
mother. I suppose a stepmother is something 
like an aunt. I’ve got an aunt, but I haven’t any 
mother, and I thought I should like tO' know 
someone else who hadn't." 

Madge hasn’t any father," remarked Sybil; 
he died last year, and she went to his funeral. 
Did you ever go to a funeral?" 

“ No," said Winifred. 

Neither have I. My own mother died when 
I was only three, so of course I was too little. I 
went to papa's wedding, though ; I wore a pink 
silk dress with white over it." 

‘‘ Gertie has been to two funerals," observed 
Bessie Winston,with an air of pride in her friend; 
“ her grandfather and grandmother both died 
last year, didn't they, Gertie? " 

‘‘ Yes," said Gertie, placidly munching a 
cookie; I went in mourning for six months." 

‘‘ I was too little to gO' in mourning when my 
mother died," said Sybil, with an air of regret. 
‘‘ Did you go in mourning for your mother, 
Winifred? " 

“ No," said Winifred sadly; “ I don't remem- 
ber my mother at all, or my father either." 


THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 85 

What did they die of? ” Madge inquired. 
‘‘ My father died of pneumonia,” she added by 
way of explanation. 

“ I don’t know,” said Winifred, beginning to 
feel a little uncomfortable, though she could not 
have told why. 

“ What’s that? ” inquired Elsie, turning sud- 
denly from the window, where she had been whis- 
pering and giggling with Carol Hastings, who 
happened just then to be her particular friend; 

did someone say she didn’t know what her 
father and mother died of? ” 

“Yes, Winifred said so,” Sybil admitted. 
“My mother died of typhoid fever,” she added 
rather hastily. “ I know that, though I can’t 
remember her.” 

“ Of course you know it,” said Elsie in the 
tone of superior understanding in which she 
usually addressed the younger girls; “ I never 
heard of anyone who didn’t. How old were 
you when your father and mother died, Wini- 
fred? ” 

“ I don’t know,” said Winifred again, and this 
time she blushed, and her head drooped. 

Elsie’s eyes opened wide in scornful astonish- 
ment, and several of the others looked sur- 
prised. 


86 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


Well, I never! ’’ exclaimed Elsie. “ I thought 
every baby knew that.” 

Tve got my mother’s picture,” Sybil assured 
them. Mamma — that’s my stepmother, you 
know — makes me keep flowers by it all the 
time.” 

A fortunate diversion was at that moment 
caused by Madge, who was undoubtedly one of 
the wild ones,” and who had started a romp with 
the Wests, upsetting a pile of books, which fell 
with a clatter to the floor. Elsie turned to utter 
a word of reproof, and before the conversation 
could be resumed Miss Lothrop came back, and 
recess was over. But Elsie did not forget the 
subject, and during the geography lesson, which 
came right after recess, she managed tO' whisper 
to Carol that she was sure there must be some- 
thing queer about that Winifred; a girl who 
didn’t even know when her father and mother 
had died couldn’t be all right. 

At a quarter to one school broke up, maids ar- 
rived, and the little girls separated for the day. 

“ Well, how did you like it? ” inquired Lulu 
eagerly, as she and Winifred went down the steps 
together. 

“ I think I shall like it very much,” said Wini- 
fred slowly. ‘‘ I like Miss Lothrop, and most of 


THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 87 

the girls; I wish they wouldn’t ask quite so many 
questions, though.” 

‘‘ They don’t mean any harm,” said Lulu, ^^at 
least most of them don’t. Elsie sometimes says 
disagreeable things on purpose, but, oh, dear! I 
forgot, I promised papa not to criticise.” 

'' I suppose they meant all right,” Winifred 
agreed, but it makes you uncomfortable when 
people ask questions, and look so queer because 
you can’t answer them.” 

Oh, you mean about your father and mother. 
Well, why don’t you just ask your aunt and uncle 
when they died, and then the next time people 
ask, you’ll know.” 

This seemed practical advice, and yet some- 
how Winifred hesitated to follow it. Never in 
her life could she remember tO' have heard Uncle 
Will or Aunt Estelle mention anything con- 
nected with her father or mother. She had never 
seen a picture of either of them. In a dim, child- 
ish way she was conscious of the fact that it was 
a subject about which they would not care to 
be questioned. And yet the way that girl had 
looked at her. She grew warm all over when- 
ever she thought of it. She made up her mind 
to take Lulu’s advice, and ask for information 
that very day. 


88 WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 

Mrs. Meredith had gone out to a luncheon 
party, and did not return until quite late in the 
afternoon. Then she had visitors, and several 
notes to write, so that it was nearly six o’clock 
before she found time to call Winifred down^ 
stairs. Winifred, who was in the nursery put- 
ting the children to bed, heard the summons, and 
rose with alacrity. 

Well, Mousie, come in and tell us all about 
school,” said Aunt Estelle pleasantly, as Wini- 
fred appeared at her door. “ I’m going out to 
dinner, but you can tell me while I dress.” 

Uncle Will — who was reading his newspaper 
— looked up with a smile. 

“ Yes, let’s hear all about it,” he said kindly. 

So Winifred told them about Miss Lothrop 
and the girls, and what she was to study, but all 
the time she was trying to make up her mind to 
ask the one important question. At last, with a 
sudden determination to get it over, she took ad- 
vantage of a moment when Aunt Estelle had dis- 
appeared in the wash closet to inquire 
abruptly: 

“ Uncle Will, when did my father and mother 
die? ” 

Mr. Meredith gave a slight start, and a look 
of annoyance came intO' his face. 


THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 89 

When did your father and mother die? ” he 
repeated. “ What put that into your head? ” 

“ One of the girls at school asked me,” faltered 
Winifred, her eyes on the carpet, and when I 
said I didn’t know, they all looked so' surprised. 
Then Lulu Bell said I ought to ask you, so I 
could tell them another time.” 

Mr. Meredith muttered something under his 
breath that did not sound unlike “ bother Lulu 
Bell,” but aloud he said kindly: 

‘‘ Well, Winnie, there are some things people 
shouldn’t ask questions about. Sometime when 
you are older you shall hear all about your par- 
ents, but you belong to Aunt Estelle and me 
now, you know.” 

“ Yes, I know,” said Winifred, coming closer 
to her uncle’s side, and gaining a little courage 
from his kind tone, “ but I should like very much 
to know about them now. Sybil Holt says she 
had a picture of her mother, and she keeps flow- 
ers by it all the time.” 

Mr. Meredith lifted his little niece onto his 
knee; his face was grave and troubled. 

“ Winnie, dear,” he said, “ there are some 
things that little girls cannot be told about. I 
will tell you this, though: Your mother was a 
lovely woman, but it is a very sad story, and one 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


90 

that your Aunt Estelle and I cannot bear talk- 
ing about. As I told you before, you shall know 
everything when you are older. If the little girls 
at school ask you those questions again, you can 
just tell them that your uncle says it isn’t any of 
their business.” 

Em afraid that wouldn’t be very polite,” said 
Winifred, smiling in spite of her disappoiintment. 

I’ll tell them you said I should know when I 
was older.” And then she raised her sweet little 
dace for her uncle’s kiss, and slipped quietly down 
off his knee. 

But although she had not gained the informa- 
tion she wanted, Winifred was not, on the whole, 
so very much disappointed. 

“He said my mother was a lovely woman,” 
she said to herself as she lay awake in bed that 
night after Josephine had put out the light and 
gone away. “ It’s a very comforting thing to 
know that, and when I go to Heaven I shall 
surely see her. I shall see Mrs. Smith then, too, 
even if I don’t ever see her before, but, oh, I hope 
I shall, for I do love her so very, very much.” 


CHAPTER VII 


UNDER A CLOUD 

T he weeks that followed were very, very 
pleasant ones to Winifred. School proved 
an even pleasanter place than she had an- 
ticipated, and she soon became quite a favorite 
with both teacher and pupils. Lulu remained 
her particular friend, but she had several other 
friends as well, and Sybil, Madge, and Gertie 
all pronounced her one of the nicest girls they 
knew, even if she did prefer books and dolls to 
horse and tag. Indeed, there was only one per- 
son in the school who' did not look upon the new 
pupil with eyes of favor, and that person was 
Elsie Carleton. 

'' She’s well enough,” Elsie confided to her 
crony Carol, but then, you see, we don’t 
know anything about her family. Mamma was 
very particular tO' find out about all the girls be- 
fore she would let me join the class; she says it’s 
very important to know what sort of people we 
get acquainted with.” 


91 


92 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


Lulu’s mother knows her aunt,” said Carol, 
with a rather wistful glance in the direction of 
Winifred and a group of her friends, who' ap- 
peared to be having a very good time about 
something. It was a fine thing to be the chosen 
companion of the biggest girl in school, but it 
had its disadvantages, too, for Elsie liked to keep 
her friends entirely to herself. 

That doesn’t count,” returned Elsie rather 
scornfully. “ Mamma says Mrs. Bell is nice 
enough herself, but not a bit particular about the 
people she knows. I guess the Merediths are 
all right, though, for we found their names in 
‘ The Social Directory,’ but it does seem awfully 
queer that Winifred shouldn’t know anything 
about her father and mother.” 

Out of school hours life went on very much as 
usual. Mr. and Mrs. Bradford had soon con- 
vinced Winifred of the fact that she need never 
fear being a bother to them, and it had become 
an established custom that the little girl should 
spend at least three afternoons a week with the 
invalid. Those afternoons were very happy ones 
to Winifred. 

I really believe I do Mr. Bradford a little bit 
of good,” she confided to her stanch admirer, 
Norah; his face always looks so pleased when I 


UNDER A CLOUD 


93 


come in, and he is interested in every single thing 
I tell him.’’ 

To which remark Norah responded heartily: 

“ Do him good! Well, I’d just like to know 
the one you don’t do good to. You ought to 
hear me mother talkin’ about you, and the sweet, 
pretty way you spoke to her the day she was 
here, askin’ about her rheumatism, and never 
forgettin’ one thing I’d told you about her.” 

“ I thought she might like to know I was in- 
terested in her,” said Winifred modestly. I 
think your mother is a very nice person, Norah, 
and I should like to know her better.” 

Of Mrs. Smith Winifred never heard a word. 
No one ever mentioned her name, or even 
seemed to remember her existence. The trunk 
containing Miss Mollie’s wardrobe had arrived 
by express; Winifred had found it in the nursery 
one day on her return from school, and Jose- 
phine had told her that Mrs. Meredith had 
brought it upstairs, and left instructions that 
Mademoiselle Winifred was to have it, but that 
was all. Neither Uncle Will nor Aunt Estelle 
mentioned the subject, and that odd, uncomfort- 
able shyness kept the little girl from asking any 
questions. At first she had had a faint hope that 
Mrs. Smith might possibly write to her, but as 


94 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


the days and weeks went by, and no letter came, 
she was forced to give up this hope. Still, oddly 
enough, it never occurred to her for a moment 
that her kind friend might have forgotten 
her. 

“ I know she’s thinking of us, Mollie,” she 
whispered one evening as she was putting Miss 
Mollie to bed. “ There must be some reason 
why we don’t hear about her, but I’m perfectly 
sure she would come back again if she could. 
And, Mollie, I’ll tell you something, but you 
mustn’t talk tO' the other children about it, be- 
cause it’s just a secret between you and me. I 
say a little prayer to God. I say, ‘ God bless 
dear Mrs. Smith, and keep her well and happy, 
and let her come to see us again.’ I say it every 
night, Mollie', and I know she’ll come again 
some time if she possibly can.” 

And although Mollie did not make any reply, 
Winifred thought she looked rather sympathetic. 
She always liked tO' think the children under- 
stood what she said to them, even if they never 
answered. 

It was about five o’clock on a cloudy No- 
vember afterrmon, and Winifred — ^who had been 
spending a couple of hours with her friend Mr. 
Bradford — was on her way home. She was 


UNDER A CLOUD 


95 


hurrying, for the street lamps were already 
lighted, and she knew that Uncle Will objected 
to her being out after dusk. As she drew near 
her own home she noticed two ladies standing 
on the front steps, evidently waiting for the door 
to be opened. 

. As the little girl came running up the steps, 
one of the ladies turned her head. She was a tall 
lady, with keen black eyes, and Winifred did not 
remember to have ever seen her before. 

“ I am afraid there is something the matter 
with this bell,” she said in a rather complaining 
tone; “ I have rung three times, but no' one has 
come to the door.” 

“ Oh, it must be broken,” said Winifred, look- 
ing distressed ; “ it does get out of order some- 
times. If you’ll just wait one minute I’H run 
down the basement way, and then- 1 can let you 
in.” 

Without waiting for permission, she turned 
and ran quickly down the steps again. In an- 
other moment she was ringing at the basement 
bell. 

The front door bell is broken,’”^e exclaimed 
rather breathlessly to Hannah,who*|dmitted her, 
and who looked more than a little surprised to 
see her. There are two ladies waiting on the 


96 WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

steps/' And she darted away up the back stairs, 
her hospitable little heart filled with consterna- 
tion that visitors should have been kept out in 
the cold so long. 

“ Fm very sorry about the bell,” she said po- 
litely, as she held the front door open, and looked 
rather anxiously up into the face of the tall lady, 
who had spoken as if she were displeased. ‘‘ If 
you’ll please go intO' the parlor I’ll run upstairs 
and see if Aunt Estelle has come home yet. I 
think Norah must be dressing.” 

Both ladies smiled, and the one who had 
not spoken, and who seemed the pleasanter of 
the two, said Thank you, dear.” Then they fol- 
lowed Winifred into the parlor, and each handed 
her a card. 

You are Mr. Meredith’s little niece, I sup- 
pose? ” the tall lady said, fixing her keen black 
eyes rather curiously on the little girl. 

'' Yes, I’m Winifred.” 

Winifred could not imagine why it should be 
so, but she suddenly found herself blushing be- 
neath the lady’s inquisitive gaze. She was glad 
tO' take the cards, and hurry away in search of 
Aunt Estelle. But just as she had reached the 
foot of the stairs she discovered that one of her 
shoe lacings had come unfastened, and as she 


UNDER A CLOUD 


97 


stooped to tie it again, she distinctly heard the 
tall lady say to her friend: 

You know about that child, don’t you? — 
poor little thing, she’s under a cloud.” 

No, who is she? ” the other lady asked in a 
tone of surprise. 

** Why, my dear, you surely remember .” 

The lady dropped her voice, and Winifred heard 
no. more, but all the way upstairs she kept re- 
peating to herself: “Under a cloud, under a 
cloud; what a very queer thing to say. How 
could a person possibly be under a cloud? ” 

She glanced at the cards, and read the names 
on them — Miss Adams and Mrs. Parker. She 
wondered which the tall lady might be. 

“ I hope she’s Miss Adams,” she said to. her- 
self, “ that is if Mrs. Parker has any children. I 
don’t think she looks as if she would make a 
very nice mother.” 

Mrs. Meredith was in her room writing notes, 
as usual. She glanced at the cards, and rose at 
once, saying she would go down to see the visi- 
tors, and scarcely listening to Winifred’s explana- 
tion about the broken door bell. As for Wini- 
fred, she went on up to the nursery, took off her 
hat and jacket, and sat down to ponder over that 
strange, new expression. 


98 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


Josephine,” she said, looking up eagerly as 
the maid entered the room a few moments later, 
“ do you knew what it means to be under a 
cloud? ” 

“ Under a cloud,” repeated Josephine, with a 
puzzled frown, “what a vairy stupid question; 
it means when the sun does not shine, of 
course.” 

“ Oh, no, it doesn’t, at least I don’t see how it 
can. A lady said it about me; she said I was 
under a cloud. What do you suppose she 
meant? ” 

“ I do not know, I am sure,” said Joseph- 
ine, sinking wearily into the rocking-chair, 
and passing her hand across her forehead. 
“You must not bother me, for I have the 
headache.” 

At the dinner table that evening Mrs. Mere^ 
dith. told her husband about the broken door 
bell. 

“ You really must have it attended to. Will,” 
she said. “ This is the third time it has been out 
of order this autumn. Mrs. Parker and Miss 
Adams were here this afternoon, and they had to 
wait ever so long on the steps.” 

“ How did they manage to get in at all if the 
bell was broken? ” Mr. Meredith asked. 


UNDER A CLOUD 


99 


‘‘ Winifred saw them, and let them in, I be- 
lieve — didn’t you, Winnie? ” 

Winifred, who was eating her shpper, looked 
up on hearing herself addressed. 

“ Yes, Aunt Estelle,” she said, I was com- 
ing home from Mr. Bradford’s, and I saw them 
on the steps. They told me about the bell, so 
I went in the basement way, and then I ran up 
and opened the door for them.” 

“ What did they say to you? ” Mr. Meredith 
inquired, with a smile. 

‘‘ The nice-looking one said, ‘ Thank you, dear,’ 
and the other one asked me if I were your little 
niece. Which of them was Miss Adams, Aunt 
Estelle? ” 

‘‘ The tall lady with black eyes. The nice- 
looking one, as you call her, is Mrs. Parker.” 

“ I’m glad,” said Winifred, in a tone of satis- 
faction; “ I hoped she was Mrs. Parker.” 

“ Why in the world should you have cared? ” 
Mrs. Meredith asked, with natural curiosity. 

“ Because she looked so much kinder than the 
other lady; I thought if she happened to have 
any children she would make the nicest mother.” 

Mr. and Mrs. Meredith both laughed, and 
Uncle Will said : 

“ I rather think Winnie has hit the right nail 


LofC. 


lOO 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


on the head this time. Miss Adams scarcely 
strikes me as my ideal of a mother — fussy, 
meddlesome old gossip.’' 

Aunt Estelle said: “ Oh, Will, how can you? ” 
but she did not look as if she really minded very 
much, and the subject was dropped. 

Winifred had half a mind to repeat what Miss 
Adams had said about her being under a cloud, 
but remembering how vexed Uncle Will had 
seemed the day she told him of Elsie Carleton’s 
questions, she decided that it might be as well, 
on the whole, to apply to someone else for the 
information she wanted. 

The next day was Saturday, and Winifred had 
been invited to take luncheon and spend the 
afternoon with her friend Lulu Bell. Lulu ap- 
peared to be informed on most interesting sub- 
jects, so she decided she would wait and put her 
question to her friend. Accordingly, when the 
two little girls were together in the nursery after 
luncheon, she began the conversation by say- 
ing: 

Lulu, did anybody ever tell you you were 
under a cloud? ” 

Lulu laid down the doll she was dressing, and 
regarded her friend’s grave, puzzled face, her 
own eyes growing round with astonishment. 



ptA Cl^uif 


1 never 
How could a per- 

want to find out,” said 
SSSffed;f^a l^y said it about me yesterday.” 
And she r^lated'^ j:he tticident of the callers ^^d 
the broken door bell. | ^ ^ 

Lulu listened with deejp interes^S^she was 
quite as much in the darl^asd^fe lady’s inea^-: 
ing as Winifred was. . 

“Let’s go and she sug- 
gested; “Aunt P^^^P^wSv^Wrytliing, I’m sur^- 
she can tell us^^^P^ 

Miss Wag^^fl^as reading/' but she laid down 
her boi9^®*wce on the entrance of the two 
littte:^|l^^hd greeted tiiem as ja^dal with her 
kilS, b^^fit smile. J 

' “Hi^e you com^^'for ^ Story? ” she asked, 
pleasantly. Aunt Daisy was a famou^-sti^ 
teller, and her tales were becbmiSffif^ItJiii^ 3.S 
popular with Winifred 
niece. 

“ No,” sai-^^p^^ 
doll’s te: 

Mollie ^3 Ros€-¥'I 
and we want to 
only came 


children, 
asant time. We 
^'^uestion. Aunt Daisy, 


loa 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


what does it mean when one person says another 
is under a cloud? ’’ 

Miss Warren looked puzzled. 

“ I don't quite understand what you mean," 
she said; ''who said who was under a cloud?" 

" A lady said it about Winifred yesterday. 
She was talking to another lady, but Winifred 
heard her. She called her a poor child, and then 
she said she was under a cloud." 

A look of comprehension flashed over the 
blind lady’s face, and, with a sudden impulse, she 
put out her hand and drew Winifred closer to her 
side. 

" It isn’t of any consequence, dear," she said 
rather hurriedly; "it was only nonsense — ^you 
mustn’t pay any attention to such foolish 
things." 

" But what did she mean? ’’ persisted Lulu, 
who never liked to give up a point; " what does 
being under a cloud mean, anyhow? ’’ 

Miss Warren hesitated for a moment; then she 
said gently: 

" When a person is in trouble others some- 
times speak of it as being under a cloud. Per- 
haps that lady knew Winifred had no father or 
mother, and was sorry for her." 

" Oh, is that it? ’’ exclaimed Winifred, and the 


UNDER A CLOUD 


103 

relief in her voice was unmistakable. I was 
afraid it meant something horrid, and it made me 
feel very queer.” 

Come on back to the nursery,” said Lulu, 
her own curiosity quite satisfied, and anxious to 
resume the interrupted game. But Winifred 
lingered to say politely: 

‘‘ Thank you for telling me. Miss Warren; it’s 
a great comfort to know.” 

Miss Warren kissed her, and the little girl 
hurried away after her friend, her doubts and 
anxieties all set at rest. But it was some min- 
utes before the blind lady went on with her read- 
ing. There was a sad, troubled look on her face, 
and once she murmured softly to herself, Poor 
child, poor little girl, will anyone ever be cruel 
enough to tell her? ” 


CHAPTER VIII 


CINDERELLA 

‘‘^^OMETHING very interesting is going 
to happen,” announced Bessie Winston, 
skipping up to Winifred as the little girl 
entered the schoolroom on the following Mon- 
day morning. “ Elsie Carleton is going to have 
a Cinderella play at her house in Christmas week, 
and we are all to be in it.” 

‘‘ Yes,” chimed in the two Wests, ‘‘we’re all 
to be in it, and there’s tO' be a rehearsal to-mor- 
row afternoon.” 

Winifred looked at Elsie for confirmation of 
this interesting news, and received a reassuring 
nod. Elsie, looking unusually amiable, was the 
center of an excited little group, consisting of 
Bessie, Carol, the Wests, Gertie, and Sybil. Lulu 
and Madge had not as yet arrived. 

“ I always have a party of some kind in the 
holidays,” she explained rather apologetically to 
Winifred. “ It’s generally a Christmas tree, but 
this year I thought it would be more fun tO' have 


104 


CINDERELLA 


105 

a play. Mamma says we may act Cinderella, 
and my cousin, Annie Lemont, is going to train 
us. She knows all about acting, because she 
plays in private theatricals quite often. Fm to 
be Cinderella, and my cousin Percy Ward is to 
be the prince, but there have to be ever so many 
other people in it, so mamma says I may ask you 
all, and you are tO' come to my house to-morrow 
afternoon at three o'clock. I don't suppose any 
of you have ever acted before." 

“ I have," said Winifred. I was a little 
flower girl in some tableaux once. It was at a 
hotel in the country where we were spending the 
summer. I didn't have to say anything, only 
to hold a basket and stand quite still while a 
lady behind the curtain sang a song. I think 
it's great fun to act; it makes one feel something 
like being in a story book." 

I have acted several times," observed Elsie, 
with a superior smile, ‘‘and people say I do it 
very well. I acted the little girl in ‘ A Wolf in 
Sheep's Clothing' once; you ought to have 
heard the people applaud. One gentleman told 
mamma I was the most remarkable child actress 
he had ever seen. I shan't act when I grow up, 
though, because mamma says it's a thing nice 
people don't do." 


io6 WINlFRED^S NEIGHBORS 

“ My mother knows an actress very well/' said 
Lulu, coming in at that moment, just in time to 
catch the end of Elsie’s speech, “ and she says 
she’s one of the most charming women she has 
ever met.” 

Elsie raised her eyebrows, and glanced at 
Carol with a meaning smile. 

“ I told you what my mother said about Mrs. 
Bell’s not being particular,” she whispered, and 
Carol nodded comprehendingly. 

There was little talked of at recess that day 
but the coming theatricals, and each little girl 
went home with a head full of pleasant anticipa- 
tions. None of the parents or guardians had any 
objections to offer, and at three o’clock on the 
following afternoon quite an assemblage of chil- 
dren gathered in the drawing-room of Elsie’s 
home. 

Winifred could not help feeling a little shy 
when she found herself standing on the steps of 
the handsome Fifth Avenue mansion, facing the 
park, with the tall, stately-looking butler hold- 
ing the front door open for her, but she caught 
sight in a moment of Lulu and Gertie coming 
down the stairs together, and her courage 
rose. 

“ You must go up first and take off your 


CINDERELLA 


107 


things,” Lulu whispered, ‘‘ and then come and 
speak tOi Mrs. Carleton. I haven’t been in to 
speak tO' her yet, and I’ll wait here for you, so 
we can go together.” 

There were several ladies in the big drawing- 
room, and Winifred would have had some diffi- 
culty in discovering which one was Mrs. Carles 
ton but for Lulu, who had been to the house be- 
fore, and who, without the slightest hesitation, 
walked straight up to a rather stout lady in a 
gray satin dress, and held out her hand. 

“ How do you do? ” she said politely; I am 
Lulu Bell, and this is my friend Winifred Mere- 
dith.” 

Elsie’s mother received both little girls very 
kindly, but looked rather curiously at Winifred, 
as if she were trying to find out something about 
her. What she saw, however, evidently satisfied 
her, for she did not look at all displeased as she 
said : 

'' You are one of Miss Lothrop’s little class, 
I know; I am glad you were able to come this 
afternoon.” 

“ It was very kind of you to ask me,” said 
Winifred. You have a very beautiful house,” 
she added simply. 

Mrs. Carleton smiled, and just then some other 


io8 WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

guests arrived, and Lulu and Winifred moved 
away. 

They were soon joined by Elsie, who was 
quite in her element as hostess, and acted the 
part of grown-up lady to perfection. 

'' My cousin hasn’t come yet,” she explained, 
‘‘ but she will be here in a few minutes, and then 
we shall begin to rehearse right away. What are 
you looking at, Winifred? Do you like the pic- 
tures? ” 

** Oh, yes, indeed,” responded Winifred heart- 
ily; “ I never saw so many beautiful pictures be- 
fore.” 

Elsie looked flattered. 

** My father has the finest collection of pictures 
in New York,” she said, with an air of satisfac- 
tion. He is the envy of a great many people; 
I have heard him say so.” 

Oh, what a brag,” whispered Gertie to Bes- 
sie, both little girls having overheard Elsie’s re- 
mark. Elsie talks such a lot “about not 
wanting to know common people, but my 
mother says it’s very common for people to be 
always talking about what they’ve got them- 
selves.” 

In a few moments Elsie’s cousin. Miss Le- 
mont, arrived. She was a bright, sensible-look- 


CINDERELLA 


log 

ing young lady, and at once set about the busi- 
ness of the day. 

“ Now,” she began, speaking in a pleasant, 
energetic voice, the first thing to be done is to 
cast the parts. There are a good many char- 
acters in the play, you know, but only a few really 
important ones. Percy Ward is to be the prince, 
I believe that is understood, as he has acted the 
part before.” 

Miss Lemont paused, and glanced toward a 
tall, nice-looking boy of twelve, who blushed and 
looked rather embarrassed, but made no objec- 
tion to the role assigned to him. 

Now,” she went on, ‘‘ the next important 
part to decide upon is Cinderella herself, and I 
think I shall have to look you all well over be- 
fore I make my choice.” 

** Oh, Cousin Annie, I’m to be Cinderella,” 
interrupted Elsie, pushing herself forward. Miss 
Lemont had requested all the children to^ stand 
in a row while she selected the parts. '' I can 
act better than any of the others, you know.” 

Miss Lemont shook her head. 

** You would never do for Cinderella,” she 
said decidedly; ‘‘ you are too tall, and don’t look 
the part at all. I have thought of you for one 
of the proud sisters.” 


110 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


But, Cousin Annie, it’s my garty,” persisted 
Elsie, beginning to pout. Besides, I can act 
better than anyone else — papa says he knows I 
can.” 

But Miss Lemont was a decided young person, 
and perhaps she was not sorry to have the oppor- 
tunity of teaching her vain little cousin a lesson. 

You will never do for Cinderella,” she said; 
you will have to be satisfied with the role of 
proud sister.” 

Elsie looked as if she were going to cry, and 
glanced appealingly at her mother, but though 
somewhat annoyed herself, Mrs. Carleton said 
nothing. There were several other mothers 
present, and she could not appear tO' choose her 
own little girl for the principal character in the 
play, when one of their children might be 
selected instead. 

** Now let me see,” continued Miss Lemont, 
paying no attention whatever to Elsie’s discom- 
fiture, “ I must have a good look at you all. 
Some little girls are too rosy, and some are too 
tall. Ah, I think this one, may do,” her eyes 
brightening as they rested on Winifred’s pale, 
earnest little face; “ have you ever acted in any- 
thing before, my dear? ” 

Winifred was so embarrassed at finding her- 


CINDERELLA 


III 


self directly addressed before so many people, all 
of whom were now regarding her with interest, 
that she had some difficulty in finding her voice 
to reply; but Lulu, who was standing next to 
her, gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. 

I never acted in a real play,” she faltered, 
but I took part in some tableaux once.” 

Miss Lemont nodded approvingly. 

You have a nice voice,” she said, ** though 
you will have to speak a little louder. Can you 
let me hear you recite something? ” 

Winifred’s cheeks were scarlet, and her heart 
was thumping very fast, but Lulu whispered 
eagerly: 

Don’t be scared; it’s all right. Say that 
piece about ' Annie and Willie’s Prayer.’ ” 

Thus encouraged, Winifred, though still feel- 
ing horribly shy and uncomfortable, stepped for- 
ward, and began in a rather tremulous voice: 

“ 'Twas the eve before Christmas, good-night had been said, 
And Annie and Willie had crept into bed; 

There were tears on their pillows, and tears in their eyes, 
And each little bosom was heaving with sighs.” 

She was an imaginative child, and when she 
read or recited always felt as if she herself were 
seeing the things described. As she went on her 
voice grew firmer, she entered into the spirit of 


I 12 


WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


the pretty little story, and by the time she had 
reached the last verse, not only Miss Lemont,* 
but all the rest of the audience were listening 
with real pleasure. 

That will do very well, indeed,” Miss Lemont 
said approvingly, and Gertie Rossiter’s mother 
whispered to Mrs. Carleton: 

How well that child recites, and what a 
pretty, graceful little thing she is; who is 
she?” 

'‘Her name is Meredith; she is one of Miss 
Lothrop^s class.” 

" Oh, yes, I have heard Gertie speak of her. 
Well, she certainly recites remarkably well.” 

" Elsie recites beautifully, too,” Mrs. Carleton 
said, a little put out by this frank admiration of a 
stranger ; " you really must hear her some time.” 

" It’s the meanest thing I ever knew,” whis- 
pered Elsie to- Carol. " Of course I thought I 
was going to be Cinderella, or I would never 
have gotten up the play. That silly Winifred 
will only spoil everything, for I know she can’t 
act worth a cent. I wish we hadn’t asked her, 
anyway. Mamma wasn’t going to at first, be- 
cause she said we didn’t know her family, but 
papa said it wouldn’t be fair to leave her out 
when all the others were asked. It’s just like 


CINDERELLA 


”3 


Cousin Annie tO' be so mean ; she’s always doing 
horrid things.” 

“ I think Proud Sister is a very nice part,” 
said Carol consolingly, “ and I shouldn’t think 
you’d mind being it, because you know you are 
rather proud yourself.” 

Carol intended to pay her friend a compliment, 
but she was not a very clever young person, and 
Elsie did not look at all pleased. 

Meanwhile the distribution of parts went 
rapidly on. Several other children were re- 
quested to recite, and two or three acquitted 
themselves very creditably, although it was 
agreed that no one did as well as Winifred, and 
the role of Cinderella was unhesitatingly as- 
signed to her. Madge being a plump, jolly little 
thing, as Miss Lemont declared, was chosen as 
the fairy godmother, and Gertie and Percy 
Ward’s sister May were selected as the cruel 
stepmother and the other proud sister. The other 
children were assigned minor roles, such as the 
prince’s attendants, guests at the ball, etc. 
When all the parts had been decided upon Miss 
Lemont gave every child a book of the play, 
marked the lines each was to learn, and ap- 
pointed the next rehearsal for the following 
Monday afternoon. 


WlNlFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


114 

Then the children were all summoned to the 
dining room, where ice cream and cake were 
served, Elsie having insisted that refreshments 
-should form an important part of the rehear- 
sals. 

Em awfully glad you’re going to be Cinder- 
ella,” said Madge, coming up to Winifred as she 
sat eating ice cream in a corner; you did recite 
better than all the rest of us, I heard two ladies 
say. Elsie’s so mad she can hardly speak.” 

What is she mad about? ” inquired Wini- 
fred, looking up from her plate in surprise. 

“Why, she wanted to be Cinderella herself; 
she says she would never have gotten up the play 
at all if she hadn’t been sure she was going to 
have the part. Gertie says it’s perfectly splen- 
did that Elsie’s got taken down for once.” 

Madge’s round little face was radiant, but 
Winifred looked grave. 

“ I don’t like to hurt Elsie’s feelings,” she said, 
but Madge had already darted away, and did not 
even hear the words. 

Winifred sat for a few moments holding her 
spoon in her hand, and looking with troubled 
eyes at Elsie, who was not eating, but standing 
by herself at the window, with her back tO' the 
others. Then she rose, and, putting down her 


CINDERELLA 


only half-emptied plate, resolutely crossed the 
room to Elsie’s side. 

“ Elsie,” she said, rather timidly, laying an ap- 
pealing little hand on the elder girl’s arm, “ I’m 
very sorry about the Cinderella part if you 
wanted it so much. I’d just as lief be Proud 
Sister, I really would. Don’t you think your 
cousin would let us change? ” 

“ Of course she wouldn’t,” said Elsie crossly. 

Didn’t you hear what she said about my being 
too tall? I believe she just did it to plague 
me. 

“ We might ask her,” Winifred urged; per- 
haps she didn’t know how much you cared.” 

“ You may ask her if you like; I won’t.” 

Winifred hesitated for a moment; then with a 
firm step, but a beating heart, she walked over 
to where Miss Lemont stood sipping lemonade, 
and chatting with a group of her friends. At 
sight of the little girl standing at her side, how- 
ever, the young lady paused in her conversation, 
and said pleasantly: 

Well, little Cinderella, what is it? Do' you 
want to ask me something? ” 

Yes, please^ — that is ” Winifred was 

blushing and stammering painfully, for not only 
Miss Lemont, but several other ladies, had 


ii6 WINIFRED^ S NEIGHBORS 

Stopped talking, and were listening to what she 
had to say. I wanted to ask if you would mind 
my changing parts with Elsie? She wants very 
much to be Cinderella, and I really don’t care.” 

Miss Lemont looked half vexed and half 
amused. 

“ Nonsense,” she said in her quick, decided 
voice; the part isn’t at all suited to Elsie, and 
it’s just the thing for you. You’re not afraid to 
take it, are you? ” 

Oh, no, it isn’t that. It’s a lovely part, and 
it was awfully good of you to give it to me, but 
I hated to have Elsie so disappointed.” 

Miss Lemont smiled. 

You are a good, unselfish little girl,” she 
said kindly, patting Winifred’s cheek as she 
spoke, “ but you can tell Elsie I have arranged 
all the parts, and don’t intend to change any of 
them.” 

Winifred was turning away, glad tO' escape 
from all those curious eyes, but she had not gone 
half a dozen steps when another voice stopped 
her. 

Wait a moment, child, I want to have a 
look at you. Aren’t you — yes, to be sure, you 
are the little girl I saw the other day at Mrs. 
Meredith’s.” 


CINDERELLA 


117 

Winifred looked up with a start, and saw bent 
upon her the same pair of black eyes that had 
scanned her so curiously in the front hall at home 
a few days before. 

“ Yes, Tm Winifred Meredith,” she said, her 
eyes drooping, though she could not have told 
why. 

‘‘ I thought so, but how in the world did you 
ever happen to come here? ” 

There was disapproval, even firmness, in 
the lady’s tone, and Winifred felt more con- 
vinced than ever that Miss Adams would not 
make a nice mother. 

'' Elsie invited me,” she said simply; I go to 
school with her.” 

'' Oh,” said Miss Adams, and that was all, but 
as Winifred was hurrying away tO' join Lulu, 
who was beckoning to her from the doorway, 
she heard the lady say to Miss Lemont: 

My dear, do you know who that child is? ” 

“ What were you talking to Miss Lemont 
about? ” Lulu inquired as the twO' little girls 
walked home together, accompanied by Lulu’s 
maid. 

I was only asking her if I might change parts 
with Elsie; she was so dreadfully disappointed at 
not being Cinderella, and I really didn’t mind.” 


ii8 WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

Lulu’s eyes grew round with astonishment and 
admiration. 

“ You are good,” she exclaimed with enthusi- 
asm; really and truly good, I mean, not make- 
believe good, the way I used to be.” 

'' Oh, no. I’m not,” said Winifred modestly; 
“ I really didn’t mind, and it was Elsie’s party, 
you know. What do you mean by being make- 
believe good? ” 

“ Oh, talking about converting people, and all 
the grand things one is going to do' some time. 
Papa says it’s being a little prig. I was that way 
once, and I’m afraid Minnie Hunt was too. But 
you’re not that kind of good at all. If I write 
another story I’m going to make my heroine just 
exactly like you, and I know everybody will love 
her.” 


CHAPTER IX 


NOT A NICE GIRL TO KNOW 

W INIFRED was late for school the next 
morning. Josephine had one of her 
bad headaches, and was too ill to lift 
her head from her pillow, so the little girl dressed 
herself as best she could without assistance, and 
went downstairs to breakfast, to find Aunt Es- 
telle in more of a bustle than usual, owing to the 
fact that she and Uncle Will were going to New 
Haven for the day, to attend the wedding of a 
young friend. 

“We shall not be back before ten o'clock to*- 
night," she told Winifred, “ so don't think of 
sitting up till we come. What's that you say 
about Josephine? One of her headaches? Oh, 
dear! What a bother. How shall I ever man- 
age to get you taken to school and back? " 

“ I’ll take her to school," said Mr. Meredith, 
looking up from his newspaper, “ and I suppose 
Norah can go for her.” 


120 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


'' Yes, that will do nicely, but Tm sorry about 
Josephine. Norah asked me if she might go out 
for the afternoon and evening.” 

I don’t mind,” said Winifred cheerfully; 

I’ll go to see Mr. Bradford; he’ll be interested 
to hear about the Cinderella play.” 

It was very pleasant to have Uncle Will take 
her to school, Winifred thought, but unfortu- 
nately a gentleman called to see Mr. Meredith 
just after breakfast, and by the time he had left, 
and they were fairly started, it was nearly nine 
o’clock, and they had to walk so fast that there 
was very little opportunity for conversation. 
Only just as he was leaving her at the school 
door. Uncle Will said, as if with a sudden 
thought: 

You’re sure you won’t be lonely all day by 
yourself, little woman? ” 

No, indeed,” said Winifred, with a bright 
smile; I have lots to do. Lulu has lent me 
* Elsie’s Santa Claus ’ to read, and I’m very busy 
making a Christmas present for Aunt Estelle. 
You mustn’t tell, for it’s a great secret. Lulu is 
making the same thing for her aunt; her mamma 
taught us both how.” 

Mr. Meredith smiled, but looked a little sorry, 
too. 


NOT A NICE GIRL TO KNOW 


I2I 


“ Fm afraid you spend too much time by your- 
self/' he said in a rather troubled tone. “ I wish 
I knew how to help it, but your aunt and I are 
both so busy. Here comes the elevator, so run 
along, and if the teacher wants tO' give you a 
black mark for being late, tell her it was all your 
uncle’s fault.” 

The girls were studying their history lesson 
when Winifred came in, and, with a murmured 
apology to Miss Lothrop', she slipped quietly 
into her seat, and was soon absorbed in the 
story of King Philip and the Indian War. 

She did not notice anything unusual until they 
were all standing up for spelling, but then she 
was somewhat surprised to find the two Wests 
staring at her in a manner that was decidedly 
disconcerting. After that she saw Gertie and 
Bessie exchanging whispered comments, and 
and they were also both looking at her curiously. 
Finally, when Miss Lothrop’s back happened to 
be turned for a moment, Elsie leaned forward 
and slipped a note into Sybil’s hand. Sybil 
glanced at the note, turned very red, and stared 
hard at Winifred. Winifred, remembering that 
she had performed her own toilet that morning, 
began to wonder rather uncomfortably if there 
could be anything the matter with her dress or 


122 


WINlFREiyS NEIGHBORS 


her hair. She had no opportunity of discover- 
ing before recess, however, so like the sensible 
little girl she was, tried tO' forget all about it, 
and to fix her thoughts upon fractions in- 
stead. 

At eleven o’clock Miss Lothrop rang her little 
bell as usual, and promptly left the room. The 
usual babel of voices began at once, and Wini- 
fred, anxious to find out what was wrong with 
her toilet, hastened to Lulu’s side. 

‘‘ Is my skirt on crooked,” she whispered, “ or 
is it my hair? Josephine had a bad head- 
ache this morning, and I had to dress my- 
self.” 

“ There isn’t anything the matter,” said Lulu, 
casting a critical glance over her friend’s cos- 
tume; “what made you think there was?” 

“ I saw the girls looking at me, and I know 
Elsie wrote something about me on a piece of 
paper, and gave it to Sybil.” 

Lulu said nothing, but, to Winifred’s surprise, 
grew suddenly very red, and her eyes sank. 

“ What were they looking at me for? ” Wini- 
fred persisted, more and more puzzled by the 
singular behavior of everybody. 

“ I — I don’t know,” stammered Lulu. 

Winifred was hurt. 


NOT A NICE GIRL TO KNOW 


123 

“ I think you might tell me,” she said, turning 
away with a quivering lip; I’ll go and ask 
Gertie.” 

But Lulu caught her dress as she was moving 
away. 

No, no,” she pleaded, please don’t. I’ll 
tell you, only it isn’t anything^ it really isn’t. 
Elsie’s always saying horrid things. It’s just 
because she’s jealous about your being Cinder- 
ella.” 

Well, what did she say? ” 

“ She said — oh, it really doesn’t matter, and it 
isn’t true, anyway. Nobody believes it.” 

At that moment Gertie and Madge came up, 
both looking solemn and important. Winifred 
turned to them at once. 

What made you all look at me so? ” she de- 
manded, her cheeks flushing with indignation. 
“ Lulu says it’s something Elsie said about me, 
but she won’t tell what.” 

There was a moment’s embarrassed silence. 
Madge shuffled uneasily from one foot tO' the 
other; Gertie began biting her finger nails. Wini- 
fred turned revSolutely away. 

“ I’m going to ask Elsie myself,” she said, and 
before anyone could stop her, she had crossed 
the room to where Elsie stood, holding a whis- 


124 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


pered conversation v^ith Carol, the Wests, and 
Sybil. 

Elsie,” she said, fixing her big, solemn eyes 
steadily on Elsie’s face, I want to know what 
you said about me to make all the girls stare. 
Lulu and Madge and Gertie won’t tell me, but 
I want to know.” 

“ Well, I’ll tell you,” said Elsie, drawing her- 
self up to her full height, and casting a glance 
of defiance at the three little girls, who had all 
fallowed Winifred. “ They stared because I 
told them something I found out about you.” 

Found out about me,” repeated Winifred 
blankly; but what was it? I haven’t done any- 
thing bad, I really haven’t.” 

Maybe you didn’t know about it, but my 
mother says it’s true, and you’re not a nice girl 
for us to know.” 

All the girls were gathered in a group now, 
regarding Winifred with solemn, interested faces. 
Even Lulu had not a word to say. Winifred 
stared in helpless bewilderment from one face to 
another. Then suddenly she too drew herself 
up with a little air of dignity that none of them 
had ever seen in her before. 

Why am I not a nice girl to know? ” she de- 
manded with flashing eyes. 



“You’re not a nice girl for us to know .” — Page 124. 






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NOT A NICE GIRL TO KNOW 


125 

Because your father was a thief, and he’s in 
prison now.” 

Winifred stood quite motionless, but for one 
awful moment she felt the room going round 
and round. Then all the blood in her whole 
body seemed to come surging up into her face 
and neck. 

It isn’t true,” she gasped; what made you 
say such a dreadful thing, Elsie? My father’s 
dead; he’s been dead for ever and ever so 
long.” 

“ Of course it isn’t true,” cried warm-hearted 
Lulu, who was half crying by this time, and had 
both arms around her friend’s neck. '' You’re 
a bad, wicked girl, Elsie, and I’ll never speak to 
you again as long as I live. We won’t any of us 
act in your old Cinderella, will we, girls? ” 

“ No,” said Gertie, Madge^ and Sybil, in 
chorus, but Elsie only smiled scornfully. 

“ I don’t care whether you do or not,” she 
retorted. “ I guess I can get plenty of people to 
act without you. I wish we had never asked 
Winifred, anyway. Mamma said last night that 
it was a great mistake, and that she would never 
have done it if she hadn’t always thought Miss 
Lothrop was very particular about what girls she 
took. It’s all true about her father, every word 


126 WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 

of it. Miss Adams told mamma yesterday, and 
she knows.’^ 

Miss Adams! The name seemed to stab like 
a knife into Winifred’s poor little heart. She 
remembered the way in which the tall lady with 
black eyes had looked at her, and she also' re- 
membered those words about being under a 
cloud. She said nothing, only shivered slightly, 
and hid her face on Lulu’s shoulder. As for 
Lulu, she hugged her friend tight in speechless 
wrath. 

I declare, Elsie, you are the very hatefulest 
girl that ever was born,” exclaimed Madge, find- 
ing her voice at last. ‘‘ I don’t believe one word 
of it; I believe you made it all up.” 

Elsie shrugged her shoulders, and turned away 
indifferently. 

“ Even if it is true,” chimed in Gertie, we 
don’t care. It isn’t Winifred’s fault, anyway. 
People can’t help what their fathers do. Let’s 
all agree that we won’t speak one word to Elsie 
for a whole week.” 

“All right,” said several voices. Carol and 
the Wests remained silent, however, and stood, 
looking first at Winifred, then at Elsie. Then 
Elsie spoke: 

“ I’m going to have a theatre party on the 


NOT A NICE GIRL TO KNOW 


127 

22d” she announced. '' I can ask eight girls, 
mamma says, and we’re going to see Jefferson 
in ^ The Cricket on the Hearth.’ ” 

Carol drew a little nearer to her friend; she was 
followed by the Wests. Bessie and Sybil re- 
mained irresolute. Gertie, Madge, and Lulu re- 
mained firm in their allegiance. 

“ You don’t really mind so very much', do you, 
Winifred?” Lulu whispered anxiously. “It 
isn’t really true, you know.” 

“ If it isn’t true I don’t mind,” said Winifred, 
raising her head and speaking with some diffi- 
culty. “ I’m going to ask LFncle Will about it 
to-night.” 

At that moment the door opened, and Miss 
Lothrop came in. She saw at a glance that 
something was wrong, but she always made it a 
rule not tO' interfere with the children during 
recess, so she wisely asked nO' questions, but 
quietly resumed her seat. 

Winifred failed hopelessly in geography that 
morning, and went down tO' the foot o-f her class. 
Miss Lothrop looked surprised, but when Lulu 
whispered anxiously in her ear: “ Please don’t 
scold Winifred, she’s very unhappy about some- 
thing to-day,” she made no remarks upon the 
subject, and later, when the girls were being dis- 


128 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


missed for the day, she detained Winifred for a 
moment to ask kindly: 

‘'Aren’t you feeling well to-day, dear? You 
look very pale.” 

“ Oh, yes, thank you,” said Winifred, looking 
up with a grateful smile, “ I’m very well. I’m 
sorry I made so many mistakes in geography.” 

“ Never mind about that; we all make mis- 
takes sometimes, you know, and you are gener- 
ally a very good little scholar. I hope your maid 
has brought your rubbers, for I see it is begin- 
ning to rain.” 

“ I wish you’d come home tO' luncheon with 
me,” Lulu said, as the little girls went down the 
steps together; “ I know mamma and Aunt 
Daisy would like to have you.” 

But Winifred shook her head resolutely. 

“I can’t come to-day,” she said; “I’ll ask 
Uncle Will first. If it’s true, perhaps your 
mother wouldn’t want you to ask me.” 

“ Oh, yes, she would,” cried Lulu eagerly; 
“ she’d want you all the more, I know. Oh, 
wouldn’t I like to do something to that horrid 
Elsie.” 

“ Norah,” said Winifred, suddenly breaking 
a rather long silence, as the two walked home 
together through the fast falling rain, “ did you 


NOT A NICE GIRL TO KNOW 


129 


ever know anyone who had any relations in 
prison? ” 

“ Prison/’ repeated Norah in a tone of un- 
mistakable disgust; “ sure and I did not. What- 
ever put such a notion into your head, darlin’? ” 
But it wouldn’t be the person’s fault, you 
know,” persisted Winifred, ignoring Norah’s 
question. “ If you had a father or a brother who 
was a — who had to go to prison — it wouldn’t be 
your fault, would it? ” 

“ No, sure, I don’t suppose it would,” Norah 
admitted, but me head would be bowed wid 
shame, and it’s never a dacint creature I’d be 
lookin’ in the face.” 

Winifred said nothing, but it seemed to her 
for the second time that morning as if some- 
thing sharp like a knife pierced right through 
her poor little heart. 

It was luncheon time when they reached home, 
but Winifred said she was not hungry. At an- 
other time Norah would have been disturbed by 
this assertion, but it was a rare thing for her 
to have a whole afternoon and evening to- her- 
self, and she was anxious to get off as soon as 
possible. So she contented herself with telling 
the little girl that it really was a wicked shame 
to waste all that good beefsteak, and, adding the 


WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


130 

information that there was plenty of fresh ginger- 
bread in the pantry should Winifred happen to 
feel hungry before supper time. 

When the luncheon dishes had been washed, 
and Norah had gone out, Winifred went up to 
the nursery by herself. Josephine was still shut 
up in her room, and as she objected strongly 
to visitors when she had a headache, Winifred 
dared not distrub her. She took up Elsie’s 
Santa Claus ” and tried to read, but the letters 
danced before her eyes in such a strange way, 
and she soon found that she was not thinking 
about the stor}^ at all. It rained too hard to 
think of taking a walk, and she had changed her 
mind about going to see Mr. Bradford. 

“ I’d better wait till I’ve asked Uncle Will,” 
she decided. '' Elsie says I’m not a nice girl to 
know.” 

It was a very, very long afternoon, about the 
longest that Winifred had ever known. The 
children were her only comfort. She took Miss 
Mollie, Rose-Florence, and Lily-Bell all in her 
arms at once, and told them about her trouble, 
and how unhappy she was. 

Because you know it may be true,” she con- 
cluded with a sigh. “ Uncle Will said it was 
very sad, and that I should know when I was 


NOT A NICE GIRL TO KNOW 13 1 

older. If it is true, and if nobody likes me any 
more, I shall be very unhappy, indeed. Oh, 
Mollie, dear, do you suppose that if Mrs. Smith 
knew about it she would never like me any 
more? 

That last thought was too much for Winifred, 
and, burying her face in Miss Mollie's hair, she 
burst into tears, and cried as if her heart would 
break. 


CHAPTER X 


UNCLE WILLIS STORY 

I T was after ten o'clock when Mr. and Mrs. 
Meredith reached home that night. They 
had had a very pleasant day, and were both 
in the best of spirits. 

That was what I call a thoroughly successful 
wedding," Mr. Meredith remarked, settling him- 
self in an easy chair by the library fire, and pre- 
paring to smoke a cigar; I never saw a better 
managed affair." 

“ It certainly was very pretty," Mrs. Meredith 
agreed, glancing up from, the pile of notes she 
was opening. “ Here are twO' dinner invitations 
for next week: one from the Carols for Tuesday, 
and one from Mrs. Ogden for Thursday. We 
are engaged for Monday and Saturday already. 
I declare Pm beginning to get a little tired of 
quite SO' much gayety." 

Mr. Meredith looked troubled. 

I hope Winnie has gotten along all right to- 
day," he said somewhat irrelevantly. 

132 


UNCLE WILLS STORY 


133 


Of course she has, she always does. I don’t 
believe she knows the meaning of the word mis- 
chief. Imagine you or I having been left alone 
for a whole day when we were her age. We 
should probably have burned the house down or 
broken our own necks before night.” Mrs. 
Meredith laughed as if some remembrance 
amused her, but her husband looked unusually 
grave. 

I sometimes almost wish Winnie were a little 
more like other children,” he said. I am 
afraid we have gotten too' much in the way of 
forgetting what a baby she really is, and of leav- 
ing her to herself more than is good for her.” 

'' She always seems perfectly happy,” said 
Mrs. Meredith, opening another note as she 
spoke. '' I believe she would rather read one of 
those story books of hers than do anything else 
in the world. Oh, Will, here’s a note from 
Jennie Southerland, asking me to help her out 
by taking charge of the flower table at that fair 
on the 26th. It’s rather a bother, but I sup- 
pose I shall have to say yes.” 

Mrs. Meredith paused abruptly, for at that mo- 
ment the portieres were suddenly pushed^ aside, 
and a little figure in a flannel wrapper and 
worsted slippers walked into the room. 


*34 


WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


Why, Winifred, what in the world are you 
doing out of bed at this time of night? ex- 
claimed Aunt Estelle, with as near an approach 
to severity in her tone as she ever used toward 
anyone. 

I was in bed,” said Winifred, pausing in the 
doorway, and regarding her uncle and aunt with 
bright, feverish eyes. I tried ever so hard to 
go to sleep, but I couldn’t; my eyes would keep 
wide Open all the time. I heard the carriage 
stop, and the front door shut, so I knew you had 
come.” 

“ Did you want anything? Where’s Jose- 
phine? ” 

'' She’s gone to bed. She felt a little better at 
supper time, but she said her head felt dizzy, so 
she went to bed right after I did.” 

Come here, Winnie,” said Uncle Will, hold- 
ing out his hand, come and tell me what the 
trouble is.” And he lifted his little niece very 
tenderly onto his knee. 

Winifred leaned her head against her uncle’s 
shoulder, feeling the touch of the kind arms 
about her very comforting. Mr. Meredith felt 
of the hot little hands, and looked more troubled 
than before. 


UNCLE WILLS STORY 


135 

“ Don’t you feel well, dear? ” he asked anx- 
iously. You throat isn’t sore, is it? ” 

“ Oh, no,” said Winifred, swallowing hard to 
make quite sure there was nothing the matter 
with her throat, I’m all right, only I couldn’t 
get to sleep. Uncle Will, I want very much to 
ask you something, but I’m a little afraid.” 

“ Afraid, Mousie? Why, when was Uncle 
Will ever a person to be afraid of? Out with it; 
I promise I won’t scold, whatever it is.” 

It isn’t about anything I’ve done,” said 
Winifred slowly. “ It’s about something one of 
the girls in school told me. Uncle Will, is my 
father really in prison? ” 

Mr. Meredith gave a violent start, and some 
of the color went out of his face. Mrs. Mere- 
dith uttered a startled exclamation, and dropped 
the note she was reading. Aunt Estelle was the 
first to recover herself sufficiently to speak. 

“ Who has been talking to you about such 
dreadful things, Winnie? ” she asked, and her 
voice shook a little, but whether with anger or 
distress Winifred could not tell. 

‘‘ It was Elsie Carleton, Aunt Estelle; she said 
Miss Adams told her mother all about it yes- 
terday, and — and, she said I wasn’t a nice 


136 WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

girl to kno'w/^ Winifred buried her burning 
face on her uncle’s shoulder with a sob. 

There was a moment’s silence. Winifred felt 
Uncle Will’s arms tighten around her, but he 
did not speak. Then the little girl lifted her face 
again. 

Is it true, Uncle Will? ” she whispered, fix- 
ing her big, earnest eyes on. her uncle’s face. 

You said you wouldn’t be angry.” 

I am not angry, my pet,” Mr. Meredith said, 
kissing her; ‘‘ I am only very, very sorry that 
anyone should have been unkind enough to tell 
you this sad story.” 

Then it is true? ” said Winifred, with a little 
gasp. 

“ Yes, Winnie, darling, it is true.” 

There was another pause. Aunt Estelle took 
out her handkerchief, and began to- cry. Uncle 
Will stroked Winifred’s hair softly. 

“ Is he — is he a very wicked man. Uncle 
Will? ” the little girl asked at last. She had 
both arms around her uncle’s neck, and was 
clinging to him in a nervous, frightened way, 
that went straight to his heart. 

Then Mr. Meredith roused himself from his 
painful reflection, and spoke ^ very gently and 
tenderly: 


UNCLE WILLS STORY 


137 


I will tell you all about it, Winnie,’^ he said, 
but you mustn’t tremble so, my little girl. It 
is a very sad story, and we hoped that you might 
not hear it until you were much older, but since 
you have been told a part, it is only right that 
you should know the rest. It is quite true that 
your father did something very wrong, but I do 
not believe — I never can believe — that he is a 
really wicked man. 

It all happened more than six years ago, 
when you were only three years old. I must tell 
you in the first place that your mother is — ^was 
my only sister. Your father’s name is Philip 
Hamilton, but when you came to live with us we 
thought best to call you by our name, so you 
have always been known as Winifred Meredith. 
Your father and mother were living in the West 
at the time when it happened. Your father had 
a very good position in a bank, and was liked and 
respected by all who' knew him. He was not 
rich, but your mother loved him dearly, and they 
were very happy. We had never known your 
father very well, for his home had always been 
in the West, and as soon as he and your mother 
were married they went away to the place where 
Philip Hamilton had lived before. He was a 
clever, handsome young fellow, though, and 


138 WINlFRED^S NEIGHBORS 

we all liked the little we saw of him very 
much. 

But one day some dreadful news reached us. 
The bank in which your father was employed had 
been robbed, a large amount of money and se- 
curities had been stolen, and — and suspicion 
pointed to Philip Hamilton as the thief. He was 
followed to his home, the house was searched, 
and there in a bag on the table in his room were 
found the missing papers. His trunk was 
packed, and he had made every preparation to 
leave home that night. He was arrested, and 
has been in prison ever since.^’ 

What did he say he took the money for? 
Winifred’s eyes were round with horror, but she 
no longer trembled. 

Mr. Meredith hesitated for a moment, then 
he said: 

“ Philip Hamilton always declared that he was 
innocent. Even when he had been pronounced 
guilty at the trial, he still refused to confess. He 
said that another employee of the bank — a friend 
of his — had left the bag at his house, asking him 
to keep it for a few hours while he attended to 
some business, and promising to call for it in 
the evening, when he intended starting on a jour- 
ney. Your father always insisted that he had 


UNCLE WILLS STORY 


139 


had no knowledge whatever of what the contents 
of the bag were. Both men had had access to the 
safe that morning, but no one suspected the 
other man, who was much older than your father, 
and had held a position of trust for many 
years.’’ 

But if my father said he didn’t steal the 
money, perhaps he really didn’t,” said Winifred, 
with a suddenly brightening face. People do 
make mistakes sometimes. I’ve read about such 
things in stories. Don’t you think. Uncle Will, 
that perhaps my father never did it, after all? ” 
Mr. Meredith shook his head sadly. 

'' I tried to believe it,” he said, all his friends 
tried to believe it at first, but circumstances were 
terribly against him, and the fact that he seemed 
to be accusing his friend made matters all the 
worse. Your mother always believed in his in- 
nocence, though; she believes it still.” 

“ My mother,” repeated Winifred, wonder- 
ingly; “ isn’t my mother dead either? ” 

Mr. Meredith looked as if he had said some- 
thing he was sorry for, but he answered rather 
hurriedly: 

“ No, dear, your mother isn’t dead, but she is 
very far away, and it wouldn’t do for you to 
see her.” 


140 


WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


Why not? questioned Winifred, clasping 
her hands tight, and wondering why her heart 
was beating so very fast. 

Because when it happened your mother re- 
fused to go away from your father. I did all in 
my power to try and persuade her to come and 
live with us, but she refused. She said she 
wanted to stay where she could see your father 
often. So then we persuaded her to let us have 
you, and at last she consented. You are our 
little girl, you see, and you must promise me 
that you won’t fret about all this. No one who 
was really good and kind would ever love you 
any the less because your father had been un- 
fortunate, and as for the others, well, we must 
just make up our minds not to bother about them 
any more than we can help. But there is the 
clock striking eleven; you must run off to bed 
like a good girl.” 

Winifred raised her head from her uncle’s 
shoulder, and put up her face for a kiss. 

I’m glad my mother believed what he said 
about not doing it,” she said tremulously; I’m 
glad he’s got somebody to love him. It must 
be a dreadful thing to be in prison and not have 
anyone to love you.” And then all at once the 
poor little girl’s composure gave away, and. 


UNCLE WILLS STORY 


141 

throwing herself back into her uncle’s arms, she 
sobbed as if her heart would break. 

Uncle Will carried her upstairs, and laid her 
in her little bed. Aunt Estelle came, too, and 
tucked the bedclothes around her almost as 
tenderly as Mrs. Smith had done. Then they 
both kissed her, and Aunt Estelle asked if she 
would like to have anyone stay in the room until 
she fell asleep. But Winifred, who was much 
impressed by all this unusual attention, declared 
that she didn’t mind being alone, and would try 
to go to sleep just as soon as she could. 

“ I just want to ask you one thing. Uncle 
Will,” she whispered, as Mr. Meredith bent to 
give her a last kiss. 

“ Ask anything you like, my pet.” 

“ Did Mrs. Smith know about — about where 
my father is, when she came that time? ” 

“ Yes, my darling, Mrs. Smith knew all about 
it,” her uncle answered rather huskily. 

“ It would really give me great satisfaction to 
let that Adams woman know what I think of 
her,” Mrs. Meredith remarked to her husband as 
they went downstairs together. “ Oh, how can 
people gossip so, and make so much trouble? 
Poor little Winnie, it’s fortunate she is such a 
baby, she will soon forget all about it.” 


142 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


I doubt if children always forget as soon as 
grown people imagine they do,” returned Mr. 
Meredith with a sigh. Winnie hasn’t forgot- 
ten her friend Mrs. Smith, you see. Poor little 
girl, she was bound to hear the truth some day, 
of course, but I never dreamed that it would 
come so soon.” 

Winifred lay quite still for some time after 
her uncle and aunt had left her, but as for going 
to sleep, that was quite a different matter. How 
could anyone possibly go to sleep with so much 
to think about? It seemed as if her head were 
fairly spinning, it was so full of new thoughts 
and ideas. At last she crept softly out of bed, 
and, groping her way through the darkness to 
the dolls’ corner, knelt down beside the cradle 
where Rose-Florence, Lily-Bell, and Miss Mollie 
were all lying side by side. 

“ Children,” she whispered, putting her face 
down close to Lily-Bell’s ear, “ I’m very sorry to 
wake you up, but I’ve really got to tell you all 
about it. It’s all true, just what Elsie said, but 
it isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I don’t 
think my father really did it; he said he didn’t, 
and my mother believed him. And, oh, chil- 
dren, this is the most wonderful part of all. I 
have really and truly got a mother. She is very 


UNCLE WILLS STORY 


143 


far away, Uncle Will says, and I don’t suppose 
she can love me very much, because she hasn’t 
seen me in such a long time, but I have got one, 
and maybe some time I shall see her.” 

She took Miss Mollie and Lily-Bell both back 
to bed with her, thinking she would feel less 
strange and bewildered if she could feel them 
close at her side, and before very many more 
minutes had passed, tired nature asserted itself, 
and the little girl, with her two dolls clasped 
tightly in her arms, had fallen into a deep, dream- 
less sleep. 


CHAPTER XI 


TELLING THE BRADFORDS 

W HEN Winifred opened her eyes her 
first sensation was one of surprise to 
discover how light it was. Then she 
wondered how it happened that Miss Mollie and 
Lily-Bell should both be in bed with her, instead 
of in their own cradle in the corner. Then, with 
a sudden rush of memory, she sat up in bed, and 
stared about her in astonishment. The room 
looked much as usual, it is true, but the sun was 
pouring in through the windows, and Winifred 
could not remember to have ever seen it shine in 
that way before when she first woke up in the 
morning. 

“ I think it must be very late,^' she said to the 
children. I hope Josephine isn’t worse; it’s 
very funny she hasn’t called me.” 

She jumped out of bed, and ran to look at the 
clock. The hands pointed to five minutes past 
nine. 

‘‘Josephine! Josephine!” she called, opening 
144 


TELLING THE BRADFORDS 


M5 

the door of communication between the nursery 
and the small hall room which the maid occu- 
pied: '' Oh, Josephine, do you know how late 
it is? ’’ 

“ Yes, I know,’’ said Josephine composedly, 
looking up from her sewing. “ Monsieur your 
uncle said you were awake late last night, and 
must not be disturbed. Your breakfast is being 
kept hot for you.” 

This was such a very extraordinary experience 
that for the first few moments Winifred found 
some difficulty in adjusting her mind to the cir- 
cumstances. She knew that grown-up ladies 
sometimes slept late in the morning and had 
their breakfasts kept hot for them, but that a 
little girl should be treated with so much con- 
sideration was an idea that had never before en- 
tered her head. Josephine helped her to dress, 
and for once was really very good-natured. Then 
she went down to the dining-room, feeling very 
much as if she had been suddenly transformed 
from a very ordinary little girl, who was of no 
particular importance to anyone, to the heroine 
of some interesting story. 

In the front hall she encountered Aunt Estelle, 
who had already finished her breakfast, and was 
ready to go out. 


146 WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 

“ Well, Mousie,” she said pleasantly, you 
have had a good long sleep.” 

“Josephine said Uncle Will told her not to 
wake me,” Winifred explained rather apologeti- 
cally; “ Fm afraid it’s too late for school.” 

“ Never mind about school this morning; a 
holiday won’t hurt you for once. Now run in 
and get your breakfast; Norah is keeping it nice 
and hot for you. I’m going to market noW; 
and after that I have an engagement at the 
dressmaker’s, but I shall be at home to 
luncheon.” 

Mrs. Meredith hurried away, and Winifred, 
still feeling that the world had changed very 
much in the past twenty-four hours, went into 
the dining-room, where she found Norah waiting 
for her. 

“ Norah,” said the little girl, suddenly looking 
up from her plate of griddle cakes and maple 
syrup, “ do you remember what we talked about 
when we were coming home from school yester- 
day? ” 

“We talked about a good many things, didn’t 
we? ” said Norah rather vaguely. 

“Yes, I guess we did, but I mean about a 
question I asked you? ” 

“ Oh, I remember,” said Norah, a light dawn- 


TELLING THE BRADFORDS 


147 


ing on her face, “you wanted to know if I 
had any friends that was ever in State’s 
prison.” 

“ Yes, that was it, and you said if you had 
ever had any relations there your head would be 
bowed with shame, didn’t you, Norah? ” 

“ Sure and I did,” said Norah, beginning to 
look puzzled. 

“ Well, Norah, I think I ought to tell you my 
father is there. Elsie Carleton said so yesterday 
in school, and last night I asked Uncle Will, 
and he says it’s true.” 

With an exclamation of dismay, Norah put 
down the plate she was wiping, and the next mo- 
ment both her kind arms were around Winifred’s 
neck. 

“ Oh, darlin’, darlin’,” she sobbed, half smoth- 
ering the child with repentant kisses, “ I didn’t 
know, as sure as Heaven’s me witness I didn’t. 
Oh, Winnie, me darlin’, you won’t be mad wid 
poor old Norah, will you? ” 

“ Of course I won’t,” said Winifred, returning 
Norah’s embrace with effusion; “ I only thought 
I ought to tell you, but Uncle Will says the really 
kind people won’t love me any the less when 
they know about it. You don’t love me any 
the less, do you, Norah? ” 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


14S 

Norah’s only answer was a fresh outburst of 
hugs, kisses, and tears. 

“ I didn't mind telling you," said Winifred, 
when Norah had dried her eyes and tranquillity 
was restored, “ because I knew you were a kind 
person; but do you think I shall have to tell Jose- 
phine? " 

“ I do not," said Norah with decision. 

Winifred looked relieved. 

“ I shouldn't quite like to tell her," she said. 

You don't think she'd mind if she should hap- 
pen to hear about it sometime, and think I 
ought to have told her, do you? " 

“ It's none of her business/' said Norah con- 
fidently, and, see here, Winnie, darlin'," she 
added, I wouldn't be tellin' too many people 
about it if I was you. I'm afraid your uncle and 
aunt wouldn't like it." 

Winifred's face clouded. 

“ I don't know what to do about that," she 
said; I think I ought to tell some people, be- 
cause if I didn't someone else might tell them, 
and then they might be angry. Elsie says her 
mother wouldn't have asked me to her house at 
all if she had known about it." 

‘'The mean spalpeen!" ejaculated Norah in- 
dignantly. 


TELLING THE BRADFORDS 


149 

“ I think I’d better tell the people I know very 
well,” Winifred went on thoughtfully. '' Lulu 
knows, because Elsie told her, and all the other 
girls at school heard, but I think I ought to tell 
the Bradfords; they’ve been very kind to me, 
you know. Do you know, Norah, I think I’ll 
go and tell Mr. Bradford this morning? I’m 
sure I shall feel more comfortable when I get it 
off my mind.” 

Although somewhat doubtful as to how Mr. 
and Mrs. Meredith might regard such a pro- 
ceeding, Norah made no further objections. She 
cherished a very deep affection for Winifred, and 
also a profound admiration for what she termed 
“ that child’s wonderful cuteness,” and it would 
scarcely have occurred to her to set up her own 
judgment against Winifred’s in anything. So 
the subject was dropped, and a half hour later 
Winifred put on her hat and jacket and started 
for her morning call. 

I really shall feel much better when I’ve done 
it,” she said to herself, as she mounted the Brad- 
fords’ front steps. “ They’re sO' kind, I’m sure 
they’ll love me just the same.” 

Mary opened the front door, and looked really 
pleased to see her. 

‘‘ You can run right up,” she said; I know 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


*50 

Mr. Bradford ’ll be pleased, and the sight of 
you ’ll cheer him up, too, for he hasn’t been feeling 
very well these days.” 

‘‘ Oh, I’m. sorry,” sai4 Winifred; I meant to 
come yesterday afternoon, but I couldn’t. I 
hope Mr. Bradford is better to-day.” 

'' Well, not much to boast of. I’m afraid. His 
cough’s been very bad this week, and that al- 
ways makes him nervous. Then there was a 
row with Brown the night before last; he got 
drunk, and had to be dismissed.” 

Winifred was sorry; she rather liked the 
solemn, respectful attendant, who had al- 
ways a kind smile, and a pleasant “ Good- 
afternoon, miss ! ” for her. She asked no 
more questions, however, but walked straight 
upstairs to Mr. Bradford’s room, where she 
found her friend lying as usual on his sofa. Mr. 
Bradford had not been gaining in health during 
the past few weeks. Even a little girl like Wini- 
fred could not fail to notice that he had grown 
much thinner and paler since that memorable 
afternoon when she had first made his acquaint- 
ance. There was a restless, troubled look in his 
eyes, and his lips were white and drawn, as if 
with constant suffering. But at sight of his little 
visitor his face brightened, as it never failed to 


TELLING THE BRADFORDS 


151 

do, and Mrs. Bradford — who was reading the 
morning paper to her husband — also greeted 
Winifred very kindly. 

Why, how is this, little woman,’’ said the in- 
valid, holding out his hand with a smile ; “ how 
comes it that there is no school this morning? 
It isn’t Saturday, is it? ” 

“ No,” said Winifred, “ it’s only Thursday, but 
such a very funny thing happened this morning. 
Uncle Will told Josephine not to disturb me, and 
I never woke up till after nine o’clock. I had 
breakfawSt all by myself.” 

“ Ha! ha! ” laughed Mr. Bradford, “getting to 
be a gay young lady, are we, and keeping fash- 
ionable hours? Did you got to the opera last 
night, or was it a ball? ” 

“ I wasn’t out at all,” said Winifred gravely; 
“ I didn’t go to sleep till very late, but that was 
because I was waiting till Uncle Will came home 
to ask him something.” 

“ Well, take off your hat and sit down. Do 
you know, it’s nearly a week since you have been 
here, and all that time I have been patiently wait- 
ing to hear some more about 'Aunt Patty ’ and 
the rest of the ' Book Bradfords ? ’ ” 

Winifred was rather glad of an excuse for be- 
ginning to read at once. She hoped that Mrs. 


152 1 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


Bradford might go out by and by, and then she 
would be able to tell her story to Mr. Bradford 
alone. She liked Mrs. Bradford, but somehow 
it did not come easy to speak of her trouble be- 
fore many people. She opened “ Bessie and 
Her Friends,” and was soon deep in the story. 

Mr. Bradford’s cough was undoubtedly much 
worse. Several times Winifred had tO' pause in 
her reading while he recovered from a severe 
paroxysm, and once he looked so very white and 
ill that she asked him if he would not like to have 
her stop all together, but he only smiled faintly, 
and assured her that it was nothing, and that 
listening to her reading always rested him. Mrs. 
Bradford looked worried, and once she brought 
her husband some medicine in a glass, but she, 
too, seemed pleased to have Winifred with them. 
So the little girl read on for more than an hour, 
and was just beginning tO' wonder if she had not 
better begin tO' tell Mr. Bradford what she had 
come to tell him, when Mrs. Bradford — who had 
left the room for a few moments — appeared in 
the doorway: 

“ John,” she said a little anxiously, I hate to 
disturb you, but I think you ought to know: 
That man Brown is here — shall I send him 
away? ” 


TELLING THE BRADFORDS 


153 

“ No, let him come up here,” Mr. Bradford 
said with decision. 

“ But, my dear John, wouldn’t it really be bet- 
ter ” 

Nonsense, Emma, it won’t hurt me; I want 
to have a little talk with the fellow.” 

Mrs. Bradford withdrew, and in another mo- 
ment Brown walked into the room. 

Broiwn was not looking his best that morn- 
ing; there was a downcast, shame-faced air about 
him, and his clothes were not as carefully brushed 
as usual. 

“ Mr. Bradford, sir,” he began apologetically, 

I’m very sorry to disturb you, but I thought 
you might be willing to let me say a word for 
myself, you’ve always been so kind to me, sir.” 

“ Well, Brown, what have you got to say for 
yourself? ” Mr. Bradford’s voice was grave, but 
not unkind. Brown shuffled uneasily, and fixed 
his eyes on the floor. 

“ I don’t know as I’ve anything to say for my- 
self, sir,” he said humbly, “ except that I’m very 
sorry.” 

“ I’m very sorry, too. Brown.” 

‘‘ I’m ashamed of myself, and that’s the truth, 
Mr. Bradford. Such a thing hasn’t happened to 
me in years. I thought the old habit was cured. 


154 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


but — well, the fact is, I got in with a bad lot that 
evening, and I made a beast of myself. It won't 
never happen again, sir, but I suppose I can’t ex- 
pect you to believe that.” 

“ I might try to believe it,” said Mr. Bradford, 
smiling. ‘‘ It has never happened before since 
I have known you; I can say that in your favor.” 

‘‘ You mean, sir, that you’ll give me another 
trial? ” There was mingled joy and astonish- 
ment in Brown’s voice. “ You won’t have cause 
to be sorry for it, I swear you won’t, sir.” 

Well, mind you don’t make me sorry for it. 
We’ll say no more about it this time. Brown, but 
if it happens again ” 

“ It never will happen again, sir,” cried Brown, 
and now he looked more like the Brown of Wini- 
fred’s acquaintance. I can’t thank you enough, 
but ” 

“ There, that will do,” interrupted Mr. Brad- 
ford impatiently. “Now go to your room and 
shave; I shall want you in half an hour.” 

Brown departed, looking radiant, and Wini- 
fred^ — who had been a deeply interested specta- 
tor of the scene — drew a long breath of relief and 
satisfaction. 

“ Oh, Mr. Bradford,” she exclaimed fervently^ 
“ what a very good man you must be.” 


TELLING THE BRADFORDS 


155 

A good man/’ repeated Mr. Bradford, and 
there was a strange ring of bitterness in his voice 
that Winifred could not understand;/' now, why 
in the world should you think me a good man? ” 

" Why,” said Winifred, looking puzzled, 
" wasn’t it very good to forgive poor Brown 
when he was so sorry? Some people would 
have sent him away; I’m sure they would.” 

"You forget,” said Mr. Bradford, smiling 
rather sadly, " that I was once a sport myself, so 
you see it wouldn’t do for me to be toO' hard 
upon another sport.” 

" But you never — oh. I’m sure you never — did 
like Brown,” stammered Winifred, looking very 
much shocked. 

" Got drunk, you mean? Well, no, drinking 
wasn’t one of my weaknesses; I may have done 
worse things than that, though. There, there, 
little woman, don’t look so distressed; I’m not a 
sport now; I couldn’t be if I tried, you see; only 
don’t call me a good man again; it makes me 
feel like a hypocrite.” 

That drawn, suffering look was on his face 
again, and, with a sudden impulse, Winifred put 
out her soft, cool little hand, and laid it on her 
friend’s burning forehead. 

" I shall always think it just the same, 


IS6 WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 

though/’ she said resolutely; ‘'I know Brown 
thinks sOi too.” 

Mr. Bradford took the little hand in his, and 
held it tight. 

Perhaps,” he said slowly, ‘‘ if I had had a 
little girl like you long ago I might have been 
good.” 

'' You really do like me, Mr. Bradford, don’t 
you? ” said Winifred a little wistfully. 

I do a good deal more than like you, Winnie ; 
I only wish you belonged to me, and that I could 
keep you all the time.” 

And you would go right on liking me, 
wouldn’t you, even — even if you found out 
something about me that wasn’t quite nice? ” 

Mr. Bradford laughed in spite of himself. 

My dear child, what are you driving at? 
The idea of anything not nice being connected 
with you is a little beyond my comprehension.” 

“ It’s true, though,” said Winifred solemnly. 

Elsie Carleton said I wasn’t a nice girl to know, 
and she said that if her mother had known about 
it before she wouldn’t have asked me to take 
part in her Cinderella play.” 

About what? My dear little girl, what are 
you talking about? ” There was real concern 
in Mr. Bradford’s tone now. In spite of her 


TELLING THE BRADFORDS 


157 

conviction that her friend would surely go on 
liking her just the same, Winifred’s heart was 
beating very fast, and she found a good deal of 
difficulty in keeping her voice from trembling. 

“ It’s — it’s about my father,” she faltered. '' I 
never knew until yesterday, but then Elsie told 
me, and Uncle Will says it’s true. My father 
isn’t dead; I always thought he was, but he isn’t; 
he’s in prison.” 

Mr. Bradford gave a sudden start, and the 
hand that held Winifred’s twitched convulsively. 

“ In prison? ” he repeated in a strange, low 
voice, and then dropped Winifred’s hand, and 
turned away to the wall. 

‘‘ Yes, he really is,” Winifred went on, speak- 
ing very fast, but determined to leave no doubt 
in her friend’s mind as to the truth of her story. 

I don’t think he is really a wicked man, though; 
my mother doesn’t believe he is^ and Uncle Will 
says he tries not to believe it. You see. I’ve 
often read in books how the wrong people get 
accused of doing things, and I think it was that 
way with my father.” 

‘‘ How did it happen? ” Mr. Bradford still 
spoke in that strange, low voice, and he still kept 
his face turned to the wall. 

“ It happened when I was a very little girl. 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


158 

only three years old, Uncle Will says, so of 
course I can’t remember anything about it. My 
father was in a bank, and they said he took some 
money that didn’t belong to him. Some people 
found it at his house in a bag, but he said he 
hadn’t taken it. He said a friend of his had left 
the bag, and asked him to keep it for him, 
and ” 

‘‘ What was your father’s name? ” 

The question came so suddenly, and was asked 
in such an odd, choking voice, that Winifred be- 
gan to tremble violently. Mr. Bradford had 
turned his face toward her again, and was star- 
ing at her with such a terrible, wild look in his 
eyes, that she involuntarily shrank farther away 
from him. She was so frightened and so aston- 
ished for the moment that she did not answer, 
and Mr. Bradford repeated his question. 

‘‘ What was your father’s name? ” 

‘‘ His — name,” faltered Winifred, “his name is 
Philip PTamilton. My name is really Winifred 
Hamilton, but ” 

She got no farther, for Mr. Bradford uttered a 
low groan, a ghastly pallor overspread his face, 
and his eyes closed. Before Winifred could re- 
cover sufficiently from her terror to move or 
speak, Mrs. Bradford came into the room. 


TELLING THE BRADFORDS 


159 


One glance at her husband’s face was enough, 
and next moment she was bending over him, her 
own face full of distress. 

‘‘ Call Brown,” she said to Winifred; “ tell him 
Mr. Bradford has one of his attacks.” 

Winifred flew to call the attendant, who was 
fortunately not far off, and who came hurrying 
in answer tO' the first summons. Winifred dared 
not go back into Mr. Bradford’s room; she could 
not forget that dreadful look she had seen in the 
invalid’s eyes; but she did not like to gO' home 
until she heard her friend was better, so she went 
downstairs, and curled herself up in a corner of 
the parlor sofa, to await events. 

For some time is was very quiet, the only 
sounds being the occasional shutting of a door, 
and the tread of footsteps in the room above. But 
at last Winifred heard some one coming down 
the stairs, and running tO' the parlor door, en- 
countered Brown, who was looking much as 
usual, except for being a little flushed and ex- 
cited. 

How’s Mr. Bradford? ” she inquired anx- 
iously. 

He’s better now, thank you, miss, but I 
wouldn’t go back to him to-day if I were you. 
He’s very weak, and these attacks are bad for him.” 


i6o WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 

'' Oh, I wouldn’t go back for anything,” Wini- 
fred protested, “ not unless he asked me to. I’m 
going right home; I only just waited to find out 
how he was.” 

‘‘Well, I guess he’ll be all right soon. We 
have sent for the doctor, and Mrs. Bradford is 
with him now. Shall I open the front door for 
you, miss?” 

“ Well, darlin’,” said Norah, as Winifred en- 
tered her own home five minutes later, “ did you 
have a nice time? ” 

“ Oh, Norah, it was vtry sad. I read to Mr. 
Bradford for a long time, and then Mrs. Brad- 
ford went away, and I was just telling him that 
thing, you know, that I said I was going to, 
when he had an attack. It was dreadful, he got 
so white, and made such a queer sound. I 
thought he was going to die, but Brown says 
he’s better. Oh, Norah, I was so- frightened.” 
And, tO' Norah’s unbounded astonishment and 
distress, Winifred suddenly burst into tears. 

“ I do love Mr. Bradford,” she sobbed. “ Oh, 
Norah, I do love him very much, and it makes 
me SO unhappy to think he has to suffer all the 
time. I know he suffers dreadfully, and he 
won’t let me tell him he’s a good man, but I 
know he is one, just the same.” 


CHAPTER XII 

A REAL HOME 

W INIFRED was sitting in Aunt Estelle^s 
room that afternoon busy trimming a 
new hat for Violet-May. Aunt Estelle — 
who was unusually kind that day — had actually 
declared her intention of remaining at home all 
the afternoon, and keeping her little niece with 
her. 

'' We must try and think up some nice little 
treat for you,” she said. “ I wonder how you 
would like to have a party? I have been think- 
ing that it might be a good plan to let you have 
some little girls to luncheon next Saturday, and 
take you all to the theater afterward.” 

Winifred looked pleased. She felt very grate- 
ful to Aunt Estelle for being sO' kind. Indeed, 
now that the first shock of Uncle Will's story 
was beginning to wear off, she found herself 
wondering whether there were many other little 
girls with quite such interesting stories con- 
161 


i 62 


WINlFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


nected with them. It certainly was very roman- 
tic to have a father and mother she could not re- 
member. Even “ The Book Bradfords ” had 
never had any such experiences as that. Perhaps 
some day people would find out that her father 
was innocent, and then how very sorry every- 
one would be to think that he had been in prison. 
Her father and mother would come home, and 
perhaps her mother would really love her the 
way Mrs. Bradford, in the books, loved Maggie 
and Bessie. Oh, it would all be very beautiful 
and very exciting, and in the meantime — well, 
Uncle Will had said that none of the really kind 
people would love her any the less because her 
father was supposed to have taken money that 
did not belong to him. 

Winifred’s reflections had just reached 
this interesting point when there was a ring at 
the door bell, and Norah appeared to say that 
Miss Lulu Bell and her maid were in the parlor, 
and would like to see Winifred. 

‘‘ I came to see why you weren’t at school to- 
day,” was Lulu’s first greeting, as Winifred 
bounded joyfully downstairs, and kissed her 
friend affectionately. 

Winifred explained the cause of her absence, 
at which Lulu appeared much impressed. 


A REAL HOME , 163 

“ I never slept till nine o'clpck,!’ she said; 
used to have my breakfast in bed when I had the 
measles, but that wasn’t much fuh^. for the 
crumbs would get into the bed;’ and it was very 
uncomfortable sometimes. It mtist be quite ex- 
citing to have your breakfast kept hot for you, 
and to eat it all alone in the ^dining-room after 
everyone else has finished. But come and sit- 
down on the sofa; Fve goUperfecb heaps to tefi 
you. First of all; the Ciid^rellaiplay has,:been| 
given up.” # | / ^ [ 

“ Given up? Winifre£4^peated^>^^^ 
ment ; “ why, whaf .for?f4- -/ /. 

“ Well, ^Elsie Says it’s'becaus^he^^other has' 
been thinking it over, andlr^lllci&d it will be 
too much trouble, but I think?;it% ^ally because 
so many of us said we wouldt^’t act. G^tie and 
Madge and I all wrote El^e notes , yesterday. 

I think mine was quite nice.| I said I was sorry, 
but I fea^y couldn’t forgive lier for being sO' hor- 
rid, a(hd I Vould rather not take part in her play. 

I read it to Aunt Daisy, and she said-sKe was glad 
I felt that way: Gertie and Madge said they 
would rather not act; top, and this morning when 
Elsie came to school she said the play had been 
• given up, and we needn’t come to any more re- 
hearsals. She pretended she didn’t care, but she 


1 64 WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 

looked awfully cross, and at recess she wouldn’t 
speak to anyone but Carol and the Wests. 
Sybil and Bessie didn’t write notes, but they both 
said they were glad there wasn’t going to be any 
play.” 

‘‘ Did they say any more about — about that 
thing? ” Winifred asked anxiously. 

Ye — es, at least they did talk about it a good 
deal, but everyone knows it isn’t your fault, and 
Gertie and Madge say they’re going to be extra 
nice to you. Bessie brought some home-made 
candy to school this morning on purpose to give 
you. Her big sister made it, and told her to be 
sure to give it to you. Bessie says all her fam- 
ily were very angry when they heard how horrid 
Elsie had been. You weren’t there, so Bessie 
divided it with Sybil and me; we were afraid it 
wouldn’t keep fresh till to-morrow.” 

“ They were all very kind,” said Winifred, 
actually blushing with gratification ; “ but what 
did your mother and aunt say — did they mind it 
very much? ” 

Why, they had known about it all the time; 
wasn’t that funny? They were awfully sorry 
Elsie had told you, though; Aunt Daisy ’most 
cried, and mamma said it was an outrage. They 
told papa about it at the dinner table, and he said 


A REAL HOME 


165 

he would like to see Elsie well punished for re- 
peating such things. Mamma wants me to ask 
your aunt if you can’t come home with me now 
and spend the night. She says you can go to 
school with me to-morrow morning, and this 
afternoon she’ll help us some more with our 
Christmas presents. You’d like to come, 
wouldn’t you? ” 

“ I should love it,” said Winifred heartily. 

Let’s go upstairs right away, and ask Aunt 
Estelle; I guess she’ll let me go.” 

Mrs. Meredith was quite willing to let Wini- 
fred go, and, indeed, she looked so much pleased 
on hearing of the invitation, and treated Lulu 
with so much cordiality that the little girl was 
quite charmed with her. 

“ I think your aunt is perfectly lovely,” she 
announced to Winifred as the two little girls left 
the house together, Winifred proudly carrying 
the small traveling bag that Aunt Estelle had 
lent her for the occasion. 

“ She is nice,” Winifred agreed; I love her 
very much. I wish she were my truly aunt, 
though, because then I think she would love me 
the way your aunt loves you. Would you and 
Jane mind waiting just a minute while I stop to 
ask how Mr. Bradford is this afternoon? He 


i66 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


had an attack when I was there this morn- 
ing/’ 

“ What kind of an attack? ” Lulu inquired 
with interest. 

I don’t know, I never saw anyone look that 
way before. I thought he was going to die and 
I was dreadfuly frightened, but Mrs. Bradford 
said it was one of his attacks. I didn’t know 
there were different kinds.” 

“ I guess there are, though,” said Lulu. We 
had a cook once who used tO' have attacks. 
One night she fell right down on the kitchen 
floor, and papa had to come and help carry her 
up to bed. She said she was subject to that kind 
of attack, but papa told mamma she had better 
send her away. So she went. Afterward papa 
found out that a lot of wine was gone out of his 
bottles, and I think they thought that had some- 
thing do with the attacks, but I don’t know just 
what.” 

‘‘ I’m sure Mr. Bradford’s attack wasn’t any- 
thing like that,” said Winifred indignantly; “ but 
here’s his house; I’ll be right back.” 

The report given by Mary, who opened the 
door, was that Mr. Bradford seemed somewhat 
better. The doctor had seen him, and had or- 
dered perfect quiet. Mrs. Bradford was with 


A REAL HOME 


167 

him, but no one else was to be admitted. Wini- 
fred said she would call again the next day, and 
hurried away to rejoin Lulu, her mind much re- 
lieved by the news that her friend was better. 

Arrived at Lulu’s home, Winifred received a 
very warm welcome from both Mrs. Bell and 
Miss Warren. There was real tenderness in 
Mrs. Bell’s sweet face as she kissed the little girl, 
and told her how glad they all were tO' see her, 
and as for Aunt Daisy, she just took Winifred 
right into her kind arms and hugged her. 

What a happy afternoon that was. The two 
little girls sat in Mrs. Bell’s room, sewing on 
some wonderful Christmas gifts, destined to sur- 
prise their respective families, and Lulu’s mother 
talked to them so kindly and merrily, not a bit as 
if she were a grown-up lady, Winifred said 
afterward, but just like a little girl of their 
own age. Later, when it had grown too dark 
to sew. Aunt Daisy called them into her room, 
and the three sat on the sofa together in the twi- 
light, while the blind lady related a long, fas- 
cinating story, which she had invented especially 
for the occasion. 

At the dinner table Winifred made the ac- 
quaintance of Dr. Bell, Lulu’s papa, a tall gentle- 
man, with a kind, handsome face, who won her 


i68 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


confidence at once by telling her that he and 
Uncle Will used to go to school together, and 
that he had also kncKwn her mother when she was 
a little girl no older than Winifred herself. Lulu 
longed to ask some questions on this subject, 
but could not summon sufficient courage. 

After dinner they played games in which all 
the grown-ups joined, and so happy moments 
flew until the clock struck half-past eight, and 
Mrs. Bell reminded her little daughter of the fact 
that is was her bedtime. 

“You needn’t wait to say good-night to 
mamma,” Lulu explained to Winifred, as the lit- 
tle girl was lingering to speak tO' her hostess, 
after bidding Dr. Bell and Miss Warren good- 
night. “ She always comes up to hear me say 
my prayers.” 

“ That’s just what Mrs. Smith did the night 
she came,” said Winifred, quite struck by the 
coincidence; “ nobody ever did it tO' me before, 
but I liked it very much.” 

“ I guess it’s a thing mothers generally do,” 
Lulu remarked carelessly. “ You and I are to 
sleep in the spare room together; won’t that be 
fun?” 

It was a pleasant as well as a novel experience 
to Winifred to have company while she un- 


A REAL HOME 


169 

dressed — that is, any company , but silent Jose- 
phine’s, and she enjoyed it thoroughly. Lulu’s 
maid was very kind and attentive, and Wini- 
fred felt sure Josephine had never brushed her 
hair half so nicely as Jane did. Then when the 
two little girls were ready for bed, Mrs. Bell 
came up, and Lulu knelt at her mother’s knee, 
and reverently repeated her evening prayer, after 
which they were both tucked up in bed and 
kissed, Winifred almost as tenderly as Lulu her- 
self. 

“ Good-night, dears,” were Mrs. Bell’s parting 
words as she put out the gas; don’t lie awake 
talking half the night, that’s all I ask.” 

“ What a very happy person you must be, 
Lulu,” Winifred remarked with a sigh, as Mrs. 
Bell closed the door, and the two little girls were 
left alone in the darkness. 

“ Why? ” inquired Lulu in some surprise. 

Why, because you’ve got a mother, and live 
in a real home.” 

‘‘A real home,” Lulu repeated vaguely; 
‘‘ aren’t all homes real ones? ” 

“ Yes, I suppose they are, only yours seems 
different, more like the homes in books, I mean. 
I don’t believe all the mothers and fathers and 
aunts are as nice as yours. I wonder if my 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


170 

mother would have loved me the way yours loves 
you if she had known me all the time? ” 

“ Of course she would,” decided Lulu, nestling 
a little closer to her friend; “ every mother would 
have to, you know, you’re so sweet. Mamma 
and Aunt Daisy were talking about your mother 
last night.” 

“ What did they say? ” Winifred asked 
eagerly. 

“ Aunt Daisy said she could not understand 
how your mother could ever have made up her 
mind to give you up, but mamma said she 
thought she could guess why. You see, there 
wasn’t much money after your father was — after 
he went away, and so mamma thinks your 
mother thought you could be happier and have 
nicer things if you lived with your uncle.” 

‘‘ I don’t care about the nice things one bit,” 
said Winifred, with a little catch in her voice. 

I’d rather have a mother than anything else 
in the world, especially if sh^ were the least bit 
like yours.” 

Well, perhaps you’ll see her some day,” said 
Lulu consolingly, and then just think how 
happy you’ll be, and what a lovely time you’ll 
have.” 

“ I hope I shall,” said Winifred, drying her 


A REAL HOME 


171 

eyes on the end of the sheet, but of course she 
won’t be able to love me the same as if she’d 
known me always.” 

Oh, but I think she will,” cried Lulu eagerly. 

You see, if she’s been thinking about you and 
wanting you for such a long time she’ll be sure to 
love you. Don’t you know the way it is in books 
when children have been lost or stolen or things 
like that? Their fathers and mothers are always 
awfully glad to see them, and awfully good to 
them afterward. I really do think, Winifred, 
that if your mother ever does really come back, 
and you really do see her, that you’ll be the very 
happiest girl in the whole world.” 

“ I know I shall,” said Winifred with convic- 
tion; “that is, if my mother is anything like 
yours, or like dear Mrs. Smith.” 


CHAPTER XIII 


KEEPING A PROMISE 

T hat was certainly a very pleasant little 
visit, and by the time Winifred started 
for school next morning with Lulu she 
had fully made up her mind that a real home was 
the most delightful place in the world. If she 
had been obliged to enter the schoolroom alone 
Winifred might have felt some embarrassment at 
meeting the children again after Elsie’s disclos- 
ure, but with Lulu at her side all such fears were 
quickly dispelled. Perhaps kind Mrs. Bell had 
realized this fact when she proposed Winifred’s 
spending the night with her friend. 

The first person to greet the two little girls as 
they entered the cloakroom was Carol Hastings, 
who had arrived a few moments before, and was 
still taking off her outdoor things. Carol, as 
Elsie’s particular friend, was never very popular 
with the rest of the class, but this morning she 
was looking unusually cheerful, just as if — Lulu 
172 


KEEPING A PROMISE 


173 

told her mother afterward — she was relieved 
about something. 

“ What do you think,” she began eagerly, 
scarcely heeding Lulu’s rather cool “ Good- 
morning,” “ Elsie’s going to Lakewood for two 
weeks.” 

Really! ” exclaimed Lulu, her face brighten- 
ing perceptibly; “ how do you know? ” 

“ She was round at my house yesterday after- 
noon, and she told me. She was so disappointed 
at her play being given up that her mother said 
she needn’t come to school for a week. Then 
they decided they might as well go to Lakewood 
now as after Christmas, so they’re going to-day.” 

I’m glad,” said Lulu frankly. I suppose 
you’re sorry, though.” 

Carol blushed and hung her head. 

‘‘ N — not so very,” she confessed. Elsie’s 
a dreadful boss; she doesn’t like you if you don’t 
do everything exactly the way she says. I’m 
getting tired of being her chum; I wish you two 
would let me be your friend, anyhow till Elsie 
comes back.” 

Of course we will,” said Lulu and Winifred 
both together. '' But we don’t bring such good 
things for lunch as Elsie does,” Winifred 
added. 


174 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


I don’t care about that,” said Carol, slip- 
ping an arm around Winifred’s waist. '' I like 
you ever so much ; I have all the time, only Elsie 
wouldn’t let me talk to you. I think it was per- 
fectly nasty the way she treated you the other 
day, and I can’t like her so much any more.” 

At that moment Miss Lothrop came in with 
several of the O'ther girls, and the subject was 
dropped, but Carol remained true to her words, 
and she and Winifred were good friends from 
that day forth. 

As for the other children, they all treated 
Winifred just as usual, and, indeed, everyond 
was so kind to her, and everything went on so 
precisely as it had done before, that in a few 
days the little girl had almost forgotten the one 
painful episode of her school life. She did not 
forget Uncle Will’s story, though, and many 
were the fancies and dreams she wove about the 
images of her unknown parents. 

“ I’m sure my father didn’t do that thing,” 
she said to Lulu, who was her confidante in this 
as in everything else; “ the more I think about 
it the more sure I feel.” 

“ I don’t believe he did either,” said Lulu, with 
cheerful confidence; ‘‘ I guess it was just all a 
mistake, the way it is in books sometimes.” 


KEEPING A PROMISE 


175 


It was some days before Winifred saw any- 
thing more of her friends, the Bradfords. She 
stopped every day to inquire how Mr. Bradford 
was, but Mary’s report was always the same; he 
was still unable to see any visitors, and his cough 
was very bad. At last one afternoon, at the end 
of the following week, Winifred was deeply ab- 
sorbed in nursing Lord Fauntleroy and Violet- 
May through a severe attack of scarlet fever, 
when Norah came up to say that Mr. Bradford’s 
man had called, with the information that his 
master would like very much to see little Miss 
Winifred if she could spare the time to make 
him a visit that afternoon. 

Leaving the sick children in charge of Rose- 
Florence and Miss Mollie, who were strictly 
charged not to forget to give them their medi- 
cine and take their temperatures every half hour, 
Winifred was soon on her way to number 
Twenty-two. Aunt Estelle was out, so there 
was no one to consult, but nO' one had ever op- 
posed her visits to the invalid, so she had no 
hesitation in obeying the summons. 

She was glad Mr. Bradford wanted to see her; 
it proved that he must be better, she thought, 
and she had really missed him very much during 
the past week. Then, too, his sending for her 


175 WINIFRED^ S NEIGHBORS 

proved another thing, he could not object to her 
even after hearing the story she had told him. 
She had not dreamed of connecting Mr. Brad- 
ford’s strange attack with anything she had been 
saying, but she had often thought how unfortu- 
nate it was that he should have been taken ill just 
at that moment, before he had had time to as- 
sure her that he liked her just as much as ever. 

Mrs. Bradford herself opened the door. She 
was looking pale and worried, but had her hat 
on, and was evidently going out. She seemed 
pleased to see Winifred, and kissed her affec- 
tionately. 

“ How’s Mr. Bradford? ” the little girl asked 
anxiously. 

'' I am afraid he is very ill,” said Mrs. Brad- 
ford sadly, and Winifred saw there were tears in 
her eyes, and that her lip quivered. “ He has been 
very ill for several days, ever since the last time 
you were here, in fact, when he was taken with 
that sudden faintness, but he seems a little 
brighter this afternoon, and has asked particu- 
larly to see you.” 

“ I’m very sorry he’s ill,” said Winifred; do 
you think he will like to have me read ‘ Bessie 
and Her Friends ’ to him? ” 

Perhaps he may. He is very fond of you, 


KEEPING A PROMISE 


177 


Winifred, and you are such a dear, quiet little 
girl, I am not afraid of your tiring him,, as some 
children might. The doctor says he should be 
kept perfectly quiet, but he is so nervous and 
restless it is hard to do anything with him.” 

‘‘ I’ll be quiet,” Winifred promised; “ I always 
am very quiet when Josephine has headaches.” 

“ That’s a good little girl ; I knew you would 
be, and do you know I am going to trust you to 
take care of Mr. Bradford all by yourself for an 
hour? It is Brown’s afternoon out, and I have 
just received a note which requires me to go 
down town at once on some important business. 
I was distressed at first, for I couldn’t bear to 
leave Mr. Bradford with only the servants about. 
Then he proposed that I should send for you. 
You won’t mind staying with him, will you, 
dear? ” 

No, indeed,” said Winifred, looking much 
flattered; “ I should love to. Shall I give him 
his medicine? ” 

Mrs. Bradford smiled. 

That will not be necessary,” she said, as he 
has just taken it, but you may read to him or talk 
to him, just which he prefers, and if he should 
have a bad attack of coughing be sure and ring 
the bell for Mary. I will be back just as soon as 


178 WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 

I can, but my errand may detain me some little 
time, and I want you to promise me that you 
won’t leave Mr. Bradford until I come.” 

'' All right,” said Winifred promptly, ‘‘ I’ll 
promise.” 

If it is late I will take you home myself, or 
Mary can, and I will stop at your door on my way 
down the street, and leave word where you are, 
SO that your aunt won’t be anxious about you. 
Now, good-by, dear, I must hurry, but you will 
find Mr. Bradford on his sofa as usual.” 

She gave Winifred another kiss, and hurried 
away, leaving the little girl to go upstairs 
alone. 

The door of Mr. Bradford’s room was partly 
closed, but in answer to Winifred’s gentle tap a 
familiar voice called “ Come in! ” and the next 
moment the child was standing beside her 
friend’s sofa. Her first thought was that Mr. 
Bradford must certainly be a great deal better, 
his eyes were so bright, and there was so much 
more color than usual in his face. But when 
she touched the hand the invalid held out to her, 
it was burning with fever, and his voice when he 
spoke was low and hoarse. 

There was no doubt of the fact that Mr. Brad- 
ford was glad tO' see his little visitor. He made 


KEEPING A PROMISE 


179 

her sit down in the low chair close to his sofa, 
and though he did not say very much, there was 
an expression in his eyes that told plainer than 
any words could have done that he was looking 
at something he loved very much. 

“ I’m so glad you’re better,” Winifred said, as 
she took her seat by her sick friend’s side; “ I 
came every day to ask how you were.” 

“That was a thoughtful little girl. Did you 
really care how I was, though? ” 

“ Of course I did,” said Winifred decidedly. 
“ I was dreadfully frightened the day you had 
the attack, and I’ve missed you very much.” 

“ Missed me very much,” Mr. Bradford re- 
peated rather incredulously; “ I don’t quite see 
how that can be. It’s pleasant to hear it all the 
same.” 

“ But I have, I truly have,” cried Winifred in- 
dignantly. “ I love to come and see you. I was 
ever so glad when Mrs. Bradford sent for me 
this afternoon, and I’ve promised to stay with 
you all the time till she comes home.” 

Mr. Bradford smiled, but his smile was very 
sad. 

“ It’s a comfort to know that some people will 
miss me a little,” he said, more as if speaking to 
himself than to Winifred. 


i8o WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 

There was a little pause, and then Winifred 
asked: 

Should you like to have me read some more 
of ' Bessie and Her Friends ’ to you? ” 

“ Yes, by and by, but I should like to have a 
little talk first. That last day you were here, 
when I was taken ill, you were telling me some- 
thing, were you not? ” 

Yes,” said Winifred, the color deepening in 
her cheeks; “ it was about my father; I thought 
I ought to tell you.” 

“ I remember. You told me your father was 
accused of some crime. You mentioned his 
name, I think? ” Mr. Bradford was looking 
steadily into the grave, earnest little face, with 
a very strange expression in his eyes. 

“ Yes,” said Winifred, his name is Philip 
Hamilton. I was just telling you when you had 
the attack.” 

Mr. Bradford shifted his position uneasily, and 
turned his face away from the light. 

“ And you said it happened six years ago, 
somewhere in California? ” 

“ It was somewhere in the West, Uncle Will 
said; he didn’t tell me the name of the place.” 

There was another short pause. Winifred was 
beginning to wonder rather uncomfortably if it 


KEEPING A PROMISE i8i 

were possible that Mr. Bradford might not ap- 
prove of her, after all, now that he had heard the 
story; Elsie had said she was not a nice girl to 
know. At last Mr. Bradford spoke: 

“ I knew a Philip Hamilton once ; he was a 
splendid fellow; we were great friends.” 

“ I wonder if he could have been my father? ” 
said Winifred, with interest. suppose, though, 
there might be two people named Hamilton, just 
the same as there are Bradford.” 

My friend lived in California,” Mr. Bradford 
went on, speaking very slowly, and as if the 
words cost him an effort. He was married to 
a lovely young girl ; I knew her, too.” 

Did they have a little girl? ” asked Winifred 
eagerly. 

“ They had a baby, but I don’t remember 
whether it was a boy or a girl. You don’t remem- 
ber your mother, do you, Winifred? ” 

Winifred shook her head. 

You see, it was a long time ago,” she said. 
** I was only three. She believed what my father 
said, and she wouldn’t leave him, though Uncle 
Will tried hard to make her come and live 
here.” 

“ Do you remember, Winnie, that you once 
told me if a fairy were to come and offer you 


i 82 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


three wishes, the first thing you would wish for 
would be that you might have a mother? 

‘‘ Yes,” said Winifred, “ that was before I 
knew I really had one, you kno>w.” 

“ Well, suppose a fairy should come now, what 
would your first wish be? ” 

“ Why,” said Winifred, surprised at what 
struck her as a rather foolish question from a 
grown-up gentleman like Mr. Bradford, ‘‘ of 
course it would be that we might find out my 
father didn’t really do it.” 

“ And what would the second wish be? ” 

“ That my mother might come to see me,” said 
Winifred unhesitatingly. “ I think I should be 
a little frightened just at first, because, you see, I 
shouldn’t know her at all, but when we got ac- 
quainted I should love it. I used to think she 
wouldn’t be able to love me very much, because 
of not knowing me well, but Lulu Bell thinks she 
would love me all the better because she would 
have been missing me for so long.” 

Mr. Bradford said nothing, and for a few mo- 
ments the room was very still. Then the sick 
man roused himself with an effort. 

‘ Suppose we have some of ^ Bessie and Her 
Friends ’ now? ” he said, trying to speak cheer- 


KEEPING A PROMISE 183 

fully, though there was a queer little shake in his 
voice, nevertheless. 

Winifred jumped up eagerly, and went in 
search of the book. She was rather glad to 
change the subject, for there was something odd 
in Mr. Bradford’s manner to-day, which made 
her vaguely uncomfortable, though she could not 
have told why. She was soon deep in the ad- 
ventures of “ The Book Bradfords,” and read on 
steadily for more than an hour. Then Mr. Brad- 
ford reminded her of the growing dusk. 

“ I am afraid you will hurt your eyes if you 
read any longer in this light,” he said. “ I hope 
your aunt won’t be anxious at your being out 
so late.” 

“ Mrs. Bradford said she would stop and let 
them know where I was,” Winifred explained; 
“ I promised I wouldn’t leave you till she comes 
home. I’m sorry we couldn’t finish the book; 
it’s such a lovely part where Blind Willie sees 
his mother’s face.” 

I guess that part will keep for next time,” 
said Mr. Bradford; you must come again to- 
morrow if you can.” 

‘'Yes, I will,” Winifred promised readily. 
“ I’m so glad you like to have me read to you ; 


184 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


it’s a very comforting thing to be able to give 
people pleasure, isn’t it ? ” 

Very, indeed,” Mr. Bradford assented with 
a smile. 

Maggie and Bessie were always giving 
people pleasure, weren’t they? ‘‘Winifred went 
on speculatively. “Think of all they did for Blind 
Willie, and how they helped Aunt Patty bear her 
burdens! Then they were always ready to for- 
give the people who did horrid things 'tO' them. 
It would be very beautiful to be as good as 
Bessie was, don’t you think it would? ” 

“ I don’t know but that I should prefer you 
just as you are,” said Mr. Bradford. “ You are 
quite good enough tO' suit me. I suppose now 
you wouldn’t like to forgive anyone whO' had 
done a horrid thing to you.” 

“ Oh, yes, I should,” said Winifred, with de- 
cision, “ especially if the person were sorry. 
Lulu says it gives you such a lovely feeling to 
forgive people, and she knows, because she for- 
gave Mrs. Vincenca.” 

“ Who is Mrs. Vincenca? ” 

“ Oh, she’s a very wicked beggar woman. She 
took Lulu home with her once, and stole all her 
clothes, and cut off her curls. You see. Lulu 
had been very naughty, and she thought she 


KEEPING A PROMISE 


185 

ought to do penance. The only way she could 
think of was by being a beggar, so she went out 
in the street all by herself, and spoke to. the very 
first dirty, horrid-looking beggar woman she 
saw. She asked the woman to take her home 
with her, and show her how tO' be one. The 
woman took her, but Lulu got dreadfully fright- 
ened when she found what a very dreadful place 
it was, and she begged Mrs. Vincenca tO' take 
her home again, but she wouldn’t, and Lulu had 
to stay in that horrid, dirty place all night, and 
in the morning when she woke up all her clothes 
were gone, and Mrs. Vincenca made her put on 
some rags. Then that dreadful woman cut off 
her curls, and took her out in the street. It was 
a very terrible experience. Lulu says ; she dreams 
about it sometimes now. After a while Mrs. 
Vincenca left her to go- home by herself, and 
she got lost, and it was raining, and dreadfully 
slippery, so she kept falling down all the time. 
At last a little newsboy brought her home. Of 
course her father and mother had been dread- 
fuly frightened about her all night, and they 
were very grateful to the newsboy. He’s their 
butler now, and he always looks so- nice and 
pleasant when he opens the door; Lulu and I are 
both quite fond of him. Lulu says it was quite 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


1 86 

easy to forgive Mrs. Vincenca for stealing her 
clothes, but she did feel dreadfully about her 
curls. TheyVe grown again very nicely now, 
though, and she says she feels so happy and com- 
fortable every time she remembers that she has 
entirely forgiven Mrs. Vincenca.” 

“ Winifred,” said Mr. Bradford, breaking the 
short silence which followed the conclusion of 
Winifred’s story, suppose that some time you 
were tO' learn that your^ father was innocent , that 
he had never committed the crime of which he 
was accused, do you think you could ever for- 
give the man who had really done it, and had al- 
lowed your father to suffer all these years of un- 
merited punishment and disgrace? ” 

It was growing dark fast, and Winifred could 
not see the expression of Mr. Bradford’s face, but 
his voice had that same odd sound in it which had 
made her uncomfortable before. She was silent 
for a moment, and then she said slowly: 

It would have been a very dreadful thing 
for anyone to do, but I think I could forgive 
him if I felt sure he was sorry. You see, I know 
how hard it is tO' have to confess things, espe- 
cially a thing you would have to go to prison for. 
One day at recess Madge and Sybil were playing 
tag, and Madge knocked against Miss Lothrop’s 


KEEPING A PROMISE 187 

desk, and upset the ink. She was dreadfully 
afraid to confess, for she thought Miss Lothrop 
would keep her in, and she wanted very much to 
go to a party that afternoon. She did confess, 
though, and Miss Lothrop didn’t keep her in, 
but forgave her right away, and we all admired 
her very much for being so brave. I never hap- 
pened to do anything like that myself, but I 
know I should hate to confess.” 

“ But this man would have let another person 
suffer for his fault, you mustn’t forget that,” said 
Mr. Bradford in a very low voice. 

Yes, I know,” said Winifred thoughtfully, 
that would be very wicked, but then if he were 
very much afraid, and if he did confess in the 
end, you know, it would be brave. Perhaps 
he would have wanted to do it for a long time, 
too.” 

“ Then you think you would forgive him? ” 
‘'Yes, I think I should; I should be so glad 
because he had told in the end. Oh, what’s 
that? ” 

It was a loud, piercing shriek, evidently pro- 
ceeding from somewhere in the house, and it 
was followed by a succession of other shrieks 
scarcely less piercing, and in which the words 
“ fire ” and “ lamp ” were distinctly audible. 


1 88 WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 

Run, Winifred, and see what the trouble is,’’ 
said Mr. Bradford, who had suddenly grown 
very pale. 

Winifred needed nO' second bidding, she was 
already halfway to the door, and in another sec- 
ond had reached the head of the stairs. In the 
lower hall Mary was running wildly back and 
forth, screaming and ringing her hands, while 
through the open parlor door Winifred caught 
sight of something that looked like a sheet of 
flame. 

“ What is it — oh, Mary, what is it? ’’ cried the 
child, almost beside herself with terror. 

“ The lamp ! ’’ shrieked Mary, flinging open 
the front door as she spoke; “ I was lighting it, 
and it exploded. Oh, fire! fire! Someone ring 
the alarm; call the engines.” 

There is something in the very word fire that 
sends a chill to the very bravest hearts. Poor 
Winifred was only a little girl, after all, and in 
that first moment of blind, unreasoning terror, 
she forgot everything in the world except her 
own fright. Almost before she realized that 
she had moved, she had reached the bottom of 
the stairs, and was standing beside Mary on the 
front steps. But it was only for a moment. The 
rush of cold air blowing on her face seemed to 


KEEPING A PROMISE 189 

clear her bewildered brain, and then suddenly 
she remembered her promise. 

Mr. Bradford had heard Mary’s explanation, 
and he, too, for one awful moment forgot every- 
thing in the world but his own danger. He 
made a feeble effort to rise, but it was useless; 
he only sank back on his pillow again, with a 
groan, realizing his utter helplessness even in 
this moment of peril; but he did not forget his 
little friend. 

“ Thank God ! the child is safe,” he murmured 
fervently; “she must have run out.” 

He had scarcely uttered the words when there 
was a slight sound at the door, and a little figure, 
with a white, terrified face, was standing once 
more by his side. 

“ Winifred,” cried Mr. Bradford, almost 
fiercely, in his anxiety for her, “ where did you 
come from — why did you not go out?” 

“ I promised Mrs. Bradford I would stay with 
you till she came back,” said Winifred tremu- 
lously. “ I couldn’t leave you all alone by your- 
self. Mary’s gone to get the engines; I guess 
it ’ll be all right pretty soon.” 

At that moment a puff of choking smoke filled 
the room. With a great effort Mr. Bradford 
raised himself on his elbow. 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


190 

You must go at once/’ he said sternly; ‘‘ do 
you hear me, Winifred? you must not waste an- 
other moment.” 

Winifred was very white, and she trembled so 
that even her teeth chattered, but she did not 
move. 

Do you hear me, Winifred? ” Mr. Bradford 
repeated. 

Winifred began to cry. 

I can’t,” she sobbed, I promised. I did 
go once; I was out on the steps, but then I re- 
membered I couldn’t leave you all alone. I’m 
afraid to go again; the fire is all coming out into 
the hall.” 

Mr. Bradford sank back on his pillows. 

Shut the door,” he said feebly; this smoke 
will suffocate us.” 

Winifred obeyed. 

‘‘ Now open the window and call someone; 
call as loudly as you can.” 

In another moment Winifred had thrown up 
the window sash, and was leaning out as far as 
she dared over the sill. Unfortunately Mr. Brad- 
ford’s room was in the rear of the house, and al- 
though the little girl called as loudly as she could 
no one appeared to hear. All the neighbors 
seemed tO' be in the front of their houses, possibly 


KEEPING A PROMISE 


191 

drawn thither by the unusual commotion 
aroused by Mary’s screams. Winifred turned 
away from the window in despair. 

“ Nobody hears me,” she said; what shall I 
do? ” 

Call again; keep on calling till somebody 
answers. The servants have probably all lost 
their heads.” 

Winifred leaned out of the window again, and 
called piteously. It was not easy to speak out 
loud at all with her heart beating so fast that it 
threatened every moment to* come up in her 
throat and choke her. Mr. Bradford had begun 
to cough. 

Suddenly a window in one of the houses on 
the next street was thrown open, and a head was 
thrust hurriedly out. 

“ What’s the matter ? ” demanded a man’s 
voice. 

“ Oh,” cried Winifred, clasping her hands 
tight in her sudden relief, it’s a fire. It’s down- 
stairs, and Mr. Bradford and I are up here all by 
ourselves. Oh, won’t you please tell the people 
about it, and ask somebody to come and carry 
Mr. Bradford out. He can’t walk, and I can’t 
help him, because I’m only a little girl.” 

There was an exclamation, and the head dis- 


192 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


appeared. Winifred turned from the window, 
and ran to Mr. Bradford’s side. Mr. Bradford 
was still coughing — one of those dreadful par- 
oxysms of coughing that Winifred had grown 
to know so well, but he put out his hand 
feebly, and took the child’s cold little fingers 
in his. 

“ My own brave little Winifred,” he whispered 
between the coughs ; ‘‘ God bless you, my own 
dear little girl.” 

Mr. Bradford looked so very ill that Winifred 
was afraid he might be going to have another 
attack. 

Oh, dear Mr. Bradford,” she cried, dropping 
down on her knees, and hiding her face in the 
pillow, please, please don’t be ill just now. I’m 
so dreadfully, dreadfully frightened, and' there 
wouldn’t be any use in ringing the bell, because 
I’m sure nobody would hear it.” 

Mr. Bradford tried to smile, as he feebly put 
out his arm, and drew the little figure still 
closer. 

“ Don’t be frightened, darling,” he whispered. 

Hark! don’t you hear the engines? We shall 
be quite safe now.” 

But the last vestige of poor little Winifred’s 
courage had forsaken her, and clinging to her 


KEEPING A PROMISE 


93 


helpless companion, she burst into a perfect tem- 
pest of sobs. 

Oh, I’m so frightened, so frightened,” she 
wailed. ‘^Perhaps we shall all be burned up; 
and I shan’t ever see Uncle Will or Aunt Estelle, 
or Lulu, or Norah, or anyone ever any more. 
Oh, dear, oh, dear, what shall I do? ” 

“ Hush, Winnie, hush, my little girl,” Mr. 
Bradford murmured soothingly, stroking the 
child’s soft hair with his thin, trembling fingers ; 
“ you are quite safe; there is nO' danger; the en- 
gines are here, and someone will come for you in 
a very little while. And, Winnie, listen to me: 
don’t cry so, my darling, but listen to what I 
am telling you. You shall have your wish; you 
shall see your mother, and your father, too, yes, 
and they will both love you dearly. I knew 
them both long ago. Your mother is a lovely 
woman, and it nearly broke her heart to part 
from you.” 

Winifred lifted her head, the look of terror 
in her face changing to an expression of won- 
der. Before she could speak, however, the door 
was flung violently open, and Mrs. Bradford 
herself, closely followed by several other figures, 
rushed into the room. 

“ Oh, John, dear,” cried poor Mrs. Bradford 


194 


WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


hysterically, flinging herself on her knees beside 
her husband’s sofa, “ I have had such a terrible 
fright. I saw the engines from the corner, and 
when I knew it was this house^ — oh, John dear, 
John dear.” 

“ Is it safe for her to be here? ” Mr. Bradford 
inquired, with an anxious glance at the police- 
man, who had followed his wife; “is the fire 
out? ” 

“ Yes, sir,” was the prompt reply; “ it wasn’t 
very much to start with, and the engines had 
it all out in a few minutes. Sorry you’ve had 
such a fright, sir, but the servants lost their 
heads, and we didn’t know there was anyone up 
here.” 

Just then another figure appeared in the door- 
way, a gentleman with a pale, anxious face, who 
hurriedly pushed past the policeman and the 
two firemen who had accompanied him, and de- 
manded in a rather breathless voice: 

“ Is there a little girl herei — has anyone seen 
a little girl?” 

Winifred heard the voice, and, with a wild, 
joyful cry of “ Uncle Will! oh, dear, dear Uncle 
Will!” darted forward, and threw herself sob- 
bing into her uncle’s arms. 


CHAPTER XIV 


STRANGE NEWS 

** T REALLY think it’s a very interesting 

I thing to have adventures; they are pretty 
dreadful while they last, but it’s so nice 
and exciting to think about them when they’re 
all over.” 

Winifred spoke in her old, slow, speculative 
way. It was evening, and she was sitting com- 
fortably on Aunt Estelle’s lap, a dignity she had 
not enjoyed in many a day, while Uncle Will — 
for once not reading his newspaper — sat close 
by, regarding both his wife and little niece with 
happy, loving eyes. All the bustle and excite- 
ment .of the afternoon were over, and for the 
past three hours Winifred had been experiencing 
the delightful sensation of being -the most im- 
portant person in the house. 

What a homecoming that had been when 
Uncle Will had brought her, still crying and 
trembling a good deal, back from the Bradfords’, 
195 


196 WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 

and the whole household had gathered to praise 
and pet and comfort her. Aunt Estelle had 
hugged her tight, crying all the time as if her 
heart would break; Norah had nearly choked 
her in a rapturous embrace; even Josephine had 
quite forgotten the headache she had assured 
Winifred was coming on, and gone flying wildly 
about in search of camphor. Pond’s extract, 
and brandy, being under the impression that 
Mademoiselle Winifred was badly hurt and in 
instant need of restoratives. Uncle Will had 
hovered about her all the time she was eating 
her supper, and once, when she happened to 
look up suddenly, she saw that her uncle’s eyes 
were full of tears. 

Are you sorry about something. Uncle 
Will? ” she had asked anxiously, and Uncle Will 
had answered rather huskily: 

'' No, my pet, I am not sorry about anything. 
I was only wondering what I should have said 
tO' your mother if anything had happened to 
you.” And then he had bent down and kissed 
her very tenderly. 

And now dinner was over, and they were all 
together in the library, waiting until it should be 
Winifred’s bedtime. 

I was dreadfully frightened when I thought 


STRANGE NEWS 


197 

the house was going to burn up,” Winifred went 
on after a little pause, but Mr. Bradford wasn’t; 
he was just as brave as brave can be. I suppose 
all grown-up gentlemen are brave, but of course 
little girls can’t be.” 

“ I think I know of one little girl who was 
rather brave,” said Uncle Will, smiling. “ Why 
did you go upstairs again, Winnie, when you 
were once safely out on the steps? ” 

“ Why,” said Winifred simply, “ I remem- 
bered that I’d promised to stay with Mr. Brad- 
ford, and I thought he might be dreadfully 
frightened all by himself.” 

Did you think then that the house might 
possibly burn up? ” 

Winifred blushed and hung her head. 

“ Yes, I did,” she admitted reluctantly, and 
for a minute I didn’t want to go, but then I re- 
membered about ‘ The boy stood on the burning 
deck,’ and I was ashamed.” 

Aunt Estelle laughed softly, and held her little 
niece closer in her arms. Uncle Will leaned 
forward, and gave the small hand an affectionate 
pat. 

I don’t think Mr. Bradford was much braver 
than some other people,” he said. 

Winifred’s eyes opened wide in astonishment. 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


198 

“ Oh, I wasn’t, Uncle Will, I truly wasn’t. I 
cried and made a dreadful fuss. Mr. Bradford 
was; he was coughing dreadfully, but kept trying 
to stop so as to comfort me. He said I was 
quite safe, and, oh. Uncle Will ” — with a sudden 
recollection — ‘‘ he said I should see my mother 
and my father, too.” 

Mr. Meredith gave a violent start. 

“ He said you should see your mother and 
father? ” he repeated; “ why, what did he know 
about them? ” 

“ I don’t know,” said Winifred, but he said 
he knew them both, and that my mother was a 
lovely woman, and it nearly broke her heart to 
part from me.” 

Mr. and Mrs. Meredith exchanged puzzled 
glances, and Uncle Will said in a rather low 
voice: 

“ Bradford was the name, certainly, but I 
never dreamed of connecting this man with the 
affair. Can it be possible that ” 

Mr. Meredith did not finish his sentence, for 
at that moment Norah entered the room. 

“ Please, sir, it’s Mr. Bradford’s man, and he 
says as how Mr. Bradford would be very pleased 
to see you if you’d be good enough to step round 
there this evenin’. He’s very bad, the man says. 


STRANGE NEWS 


199 


His wife was wantin’ to have him took to a hotel, 
on account of the house bein’ so upset with the 
fire, but the doctor said he wasn’t able to be 
moved.” 

Mr. Meredith rose at once; he had grown very- 
pale, and there was an air of suppressed ex- 
citement in his manner. 

“ I will go at once,” he said. “ Good-night, 
Winnie darling. You had better take her up- 
stairs to bed, Estelle; she has had quite enough 
excitement for one day.” 

He stooped to kiss his little niece as he spoke, 
and as he was turning away Winifred caught 
his hand eagerly. 

Please give my love to Mr. Bradford, Uncle 
Will, and tell him I’m all rights and will surely 
come to see him to-morrow.” 

Mr. Meredith promised to deliver the mes- 
sage, and then he hurried way, and Aunt Estelle 
glanced at the clock. 

Well, Mousie,” she said, smiling, “it’s nearly 
half-past eight, so I guess we may as well be 
starting for bed.” 

Winifred slipped down from her aunt’s lap 
obediently, and put up her face for a kiss. 

“I am going up with you,” said Aunt Estelle, 
rising; “ I want to put you to bed myself to- 


200 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


night, and Josephine is going to sleep in the 
nursery, in case you should feel nervous, or want 
anything.” 

Winifred’s face fairly shone with pleasure. 

“Oh, Aunt Estelle,” she exclaimed impul- 
sively, “ I believe you really do love me, after 
all.” 

“ Why, of course I love you, Mousie — you 
never doubted it, did you? ” 

“No, oh, no,” said Winifred hastily; “that 
is, I knew you loved me a little, but of course 
it wasn’t the same as if I’d been your very own 
little girl.” 

To her surprise. Aunt Estelle suddenly gath- 
ered her into her arms again. 

“ I’m afraid I haven’t been a good auntie to 
you, Winnie,” she said in a voice that trembled 
strangely. “ I meant to be kind, and to do what 
I ought, but I have been very thoughtless. I 
don’t think I ever quite realized how much I did 
love you until this afternoon; but when I heard 
that the Bradfords’ house was on fire, and No- 
rah told me you were there, then all at once I 
knew how very precious you were. There, my 
pet, give me a good, big hug, and never again 
doubt that Aunt Estelle loves you dearly.” 

It certainly was a very novel experience to 


STRANGE NEWS 


201 


have Aunt Estelle put her to bed. It reminded 
Winifred of the ni^ht of Mrs. Smith’s visit, but 
though she thought a good deal about that dear, 
absent friend, and wondered whether Mrs. Smith 
would ever hear of her adventure, and know that 
Mr. Bradford had called her a brave little girl, 
still a certain shyness kept her from speaking to 
Aunt Estelle on a subject which she felt sure was, 
for some reason unknown to herself, a painful 
one. When she was in bed, and Aunt Estelle 
had put out the gas and gone away, she lay 
awake for a long time thinking over the events 
of the day. She hoped Mr. Bradford was not 
going to be very ill again. She wondered what 
he could have wanted to say to Uncle Will. She 
would surely go to see him again to-morrow, and 
finish “ Bessie and Her Friends.” How inter- 
ested Lulu and all the other girls would be when 
they heard that she had really been in a fire, and 
oh, how very lovely it was to have everybody so 
kind and attentive. She wondered how Mr. 
Bradford had known that she should see her 
father and mother. It would be very beautiful 
to have a mother, but then all mothers were not 
alike. She did not think she should particularly 
care to have a mother like Mrs. Carleton, for in- 
stance. If she could only feel sure that she 


202 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


should some day see dear Mrs. Smith again. At 
this point Winifred’s reflections began to grow 
confused; she was drowsily conscious of being 
very comfortable and very happy, and in a few 
minutes more had fallen fast asleep. 

She slept soundly until morning, and woke to 
find Josephine standing by her bedside. 

You must make hurry up,” said the maid, 
smiling, as Winifred sat up in bed, and rubbed 
her eyes. 

“ Why, is it very late? ” inquired Winifred, 
springing out of bed, and remembering that 
other morning, when her breakfast had been 
kept for her. 

“ Not vairy, but Monsieur Meredith has twice 
been to see if you are awake, and he wishes to 
see you in his room as soon as you are dressed.” 

Here was a new cause for speculation, and all 
the time she was dressing Winifred kept won- 
dering and wondering what Uncle Will could 
possibly want of her so early in the morning. It 
was Saturday, so there would not be any school 
to hurry off to, and it seemed very strange that 
her uncle should have anything particular to say 
to her before breakfast. Now, wondering about 
things is not much help toward the solution of a 
mystery, so Winifred made as much haste with 


STRANGE NEWS 


203 


her toilet as Josephine would allow, and as soon 
as she was dressed ran quickly downstairs to her 
uncle’s room. 

The door was open, and Mr. Meredith, already 
dressed, was writing at his desk, while Aunt Es- 
telle put the finishing touches to her toilet. 

Uncle Will, Josephine said you wanted to 
speak to me.” 

Winifred paused, for her uncle had laid down 
his pen, and turned toward her, and there was 
such a strange expression on his face that for a 
moment she was almost frightened. 

“ Come here, Winnie,” he said, and when the 
little girl ran to him, he lifted her on his knee, 
and held her close. 

“ Winnie,” he began, after a little pause, dur- 
ing which the child had sat regarding him with 
grave, inquiring eyes, Winnie, I sent for you 
because I want to tell you some very wonderful 
news. Something has happened that will make 
us all very, very happy.” 

“ Is it — is it anything about that thing you 
told me? ” gasped Winifred, her heart beginning 
to beat very fast; ‘‘about my father, you 
know ? ” 

Mr. Meredith nodded. 

“ We have all done your father a great wrong. 


204 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


Winnie,” he said gently; I don’t know how he 
will ever be able to forgive us.” 

Did the person who- really took the money 
confess? ” inquired Winifred in a breathless whis- 
per. 

‘"Yes, dear, the man who really committed 
the crime has confessed.” 

Winifred drew a long breath of relief, and 
clasped her hands. 

I always thought he would some time,” she 
said triumphantly. ‘‘ The people in books al- 
ways confess, you know, and I was sure my 
father couldn’t really have done it. You 
know you said my mother didn’t believe he 
did.” 

** Yes, dear, your mother always said so, and 
she was right. She knew more than a!l the rest 
of us, and yet appearances were terribly against 
your father. It is a very strange story, and I am 
afraid a little girl like you might not be able to 
understand it all.” 

Oh, yes, I think I can,” said Winifred re- 
assuringly; '' you see. I’ve read about such things 
quite often in stories. I suppose the person who 
really did it was the man whO' gave my father the 
bag to keep for him.” 

Yes, he was the cashier of the bank, and your 


STRANGE NEWS 


205 

father was his assistant. I don’t think he had 
always been a wicked man, but he was very weak 
and foolish. He had lost a great deal of money 
through some speculations which had turned out 
badly, and when temptation came he was not 
able to resist. He thought he should be able 
to get away with the money before anyone dis- 
covered that it had been stolen, but when he 
found that to be impossible, he became very 
much frightened. He knew the theft had been 
discovered, and that suspicion must resrt: either 
upon himself or upon your father, as they were 
the only twO' persons who had had access to the 
safe that day. He was the older man of the 
two, and had held a position of trust for years. 
Your father was young and inexperienced, and 
had been employed by that bank for only a 
short time. Suspicion naturally fell upon him. 
Brad — the other man — found this out, and in 
order to save himself, succeeded in fastening the 
stolen goods upon your father by leaving the 
bag containing the money and securities at his 
house. You know what happened, and how ter- 
rible it all was.” 

Winifred’s big eyes were round and wide with 
horror. 

It was a very, very wicked thing to do,” she 


2o6 


WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


said softly, “ but I suppose that man must have 
been terribly unhappy afterward/' 

I think he was, and he has been terribly pun- 
ished Soon after it happened he inherited a 
fortune from an uncle, but was not able to enjoy 
it long, for the very next year he met with a 
terrible accident, and has been a helpless cripple 
ever since." 

Winifred’s expression softened. 

‘^Just like Mr. Bradford," she said sorrow- 
fully. Mr. Bradford suffers a great deal, but 
it would be much worse if he had been a bad 
man like the other one, because then he would 
have to kee'p thinking all the time about the 
people he had made unhappy. What made that 
man confess. Uncle Will? " 

Mr. Meredith hesitated for a moment, as if 
uncertain just how to answer. Then he said, 
very gravely and gently: 

I think he has wanted to confess for a long 
time, but could not make up his mind to do it. 
He had a wife, you see, and she believed him 
to be a good and honorable man; he could not 
bear to make her so' unhappy, as he knew she 
would be if she learned the truth. But at last a 
little child came into his life. She was a very 
simple, innocent, little child; she had no idea 


STRANGE NEWS 


207 


that she was doing any particular good to any- 
one. This man, who had bem sO' hard and cruel 
for so many years, grew very, very fond of her, 
and, at last, through her unconscious influence, 
was led to right the wrong he had done. He 
sent for me last night, and in the presence of 
witnesses, confessed everything. Your father’s 
innocence is established, Winnie, without a 
shadow of doubt.” 

'' How very interesting,” said Winifred, look- 
ing deeply impressed; “it sounds just like a 
thing out of a story. I wish I knew that little 
girl; I think she must be something like Bessie 
Bradford. Do' you think I might possibly ever 
get acquainted with her. Uncle Will? ” 

Instead of answering that question. Uncle Will 
only stooped and gave her a kiss. 

“ I think it’s about time we had some break- 
fast, don’t you? ” he said. “ Run along down- 
stairs, Mousie; Aunt Estelle and I will follow you 
in a moment.” 

“ She hasn’t the slightest suspicion of the 
truth,” exclaimed Mrs. Meredith in a low voice, 
as Winifred left the room obediently. 

“ No, she hasn’t, God bless her,” returned 
her husband, “ and, what is more, I haven’t the 
heart to tell her,” 


208 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


But she must know some time, surely/’ 

‘‘ Perhaps so, but there is no hurry. The man 
cannot live twenty-four hours; the doctors as- 
sured us of that last night. Let the child keep 
the memory of her hero unspotted, for the pres- 
ent at least. I know Mollie and Philip would 
agree with me on that subject.” 

Breakfast that morning was a very silent meal. 
Every heart was full, and words did not come 
easily just then. Winifred was very solemn, and 
her uncle noticed that she seemed deeply ab- 
sorbed in some thought of her own. When they 
left the breakfast table the little girl followed Mr. 
Meredith out into the hall. 

'' Are you going out, Uncle Will? ” she asked 
rather wistfully. 

'' Yes, Mousie; do' you want anything? ” 

No, only — only — Uncle Will, I can’t help 
feeling very sorry for that poor man. It’s so 
queer, Mr. Bradford and I were talking about 
just that yesterday. He asked me if I thought 
I could ever forgive the man who really did it? 
Do you think he would be any happier if he knew 
people did forgive him, and were sorry for him. 
Uncle Will? ” 

“ I am very sure he would, Winnie.” 

Winifred’s grave face brightened. 


STRANGE NEWS 


209 


Then do you think you could let him know 
about it? I do forgive him, and I’m very sorry 
for him — very sorry, indeed.” 

Mr. Meredith stooped to kiss the earnest little 
face. 

'' He shall have your message, Mousie,” he 
saidi not quite steadily. 

It was a couple of hours later when Mr. Mere- 
dith came in; he went straight up to the nur- 
sery. Winifred had told the children all about 
the wonderful thing that had happened, and was 
now busy dressing Miss Mollie in her pink ball 
dress for the dolls’ tea party, which was to take 
place at Gertie Rossiter’s that afternoon. She 
looked up eagerly as her uncle entered the 
room. 

Oh, Uncle Will,” she said joyfully, spring- 
ing tO' her feet, “ I’m so glad to see you. I want 
to ask you about something that I quite forgot 
this morning. What you told me was so ex- 
citing that I suppose I didn’t think o-f anything 
else, but I remembered just as soon as you’d 
gone.” 

‘‘ Well, Mousie, what is it? ” Mr. Meredith 
asked, laying his hand tenderly on his little 
niece’s head. 

Why, it’s about Mr. Bradford — what did he 


210 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


want to see you for last night? I was going to 
ask Aunt Estelle, but she had gone out, too/' 
He wanted several things; among others to 
tell me how much pleasure a certain little girl 
had given him by her visits." 

Winifred flushed with pleasure, but next mo- 
ment she was grave again. 

'' Is he very ill, Uncle Will? " she asked anx- 
iously. 

Mr. Meredith sat down, and lifted his little 
niece onto his knee. 

Winnie, darling,” he said tenderly, I have 
something to tell you that I am afraid will make 
you unhappy. You know, dear, that your 
friend has been an invalid for a long time — that 
he has suffered a great deal of pain.” 

Winifred nodded mournfully. 

“ Well, Winnie, he will never suffer any more, 
becausei — don’t cry, my pet, it is bettter, much 
better as it is — God has taken him out of all his 
suffering; he died an hour ago.” 

'' Oh, Uncle Will, I’m so sorry, so sorry,” 
sobbed Winifred , with her arms around her 
uncle’s neck. ‘‘ I’m glad he won’t have any 
more pain, but he was so good to me, and I did 
love him. And now I can’t ever tell him how 
my father didn’t really do it, and he would have 
been so much interested, I know he would.” 


CHAPTER XV 

A FATHER AND MOTHER 

** f U 1 HERE, I Ve finished the very last of my 
I Christmas presents, and Christmas is 
nearly a whole week off yet.” And 
Lulu Bell waved the pretty pink mat she had 
been crocheting triumphantly in Winifred’s face. 

It was the Saturday before Christmas, and the 
two little girls were sitting together in Lulu’s 
nursery. Winifred glanced up from the pin- 
cushion she was embroidering, and regarded her 
friend’s work admiringly. 

You work ever so much faster than I do,” 
she said a little regretfully. 

I don’t do it nearly as well, though,” re- 
turned Lulu. Mamma says I make a great 
many more mistakes than you, and I’m not 
nearly so careful about my stitches. Who is that 
cushion going to be for? ” 

Winifred hesitated. 

‘‘ I know who I would like tO' give it to,” she 


2II 


212 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


said, “ but Fm afraid I can’t, because I don’t 
know her address.” 

Who’s that? ” inquired Lulu with interest. 

Mrs. Smith. You remember I toldl you 
about her, and how lovely she was.” 

“ Oh, yes, I remember ; why don’t you ask 
your aunt for her address? ” 

“ I did once, but she said she didn’t know it. 
I think Uncle Will might know, but you s^e he’s 
away in California now, and I don’t know when 
he’s coming back.” 

Well, you might put it away, and perhaps 
some time you can send it to her,” Lulu sug- 
gested. 

“ That’s just what I mean to do, but I’d like 
her to have it on Christmas. I’d like tO' let her 
know I didn’t forget her.” 

There was a short pause, while Winifred 
stitched away in silence, and Lulu, having fin- 
ished her work, curled herself up in a corner of 
the sofa. Lulu was the first to speak. 

Winifred, when are your father and mother 
coming? ” 

I don’t know.” There was an unusual shy- 
ness and reserve in Winfred’s tone. 

They’re coming back with your uncle, aren’t 
they? ” 


A FATHER AND MOTHER 


213 

“ Yes. At first Aunt Estelle was afraid they 
might want me to go to California, but now she 
says they’re coming here, and my father is going 
in business with Uncle Will.” 

‘‘ I’m so glad,” said Lulu in a tone of satis- 
faction ; “ it would be horrid to have you go away 
like Minnie Hunt. It’s very exciting, isn’t it? 
Don’t you hope they’ll come soon? ” 

Winifred’s eyes drooped. She had left off em- 
broidering, and the pin-cushion had slipped un- 
heeded into her lap. 

I — I don’t know,” she faltered. I always 
thought it would be beautiful to have a mother, 
but now that she’s really coming I — oh, I don’t 
know how it is, but I do feel very uncomfortable. 
Suppose she shouldn’t like me at all.” 

Oh, but she will, of course she will,” cried 
Lulu, quite shocked at such a dreadful sugges- 
tion. ^‘Aunt Daisy says she’s sure your mother 
must be just crazy to see you, and your father, 
toO'. They’ll be perfectly lovely to- you, just see 
if they’re not, and they’ll give you every single 
thing you want.” 

Winifred looked relieved, though not quite 
convinced, and there was another short pause, 
which Lulu was again the first to break. 

What a lot of things have happened this 


214 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


year, haven’t they? ” she remarked, and all 
since yon came to school. First there was the 
Cinderella play, and that nasty thing Elsie said. 
Then you were in a fire, and had a really exciting 
adventure. Then your uncle found out about 
the man who really took the money, and, after 
that, that nice Mr. Bradford died. Now your 
uncle has gone to California, and your father and 
mother are coming back with him. - Perhaps 
Mrs. Smith will come, too. You said she lived 
in California, didn’t you? ” 

Uncle Will said she did — oh. Lulu, do you 
really think she might possibly come back? ” 

Winifred’s eyes were shining with sudden 
hope. 

“ She might,” said Lulu; I don’t know any- 
thing about it, but if your uncle knows her he 
might go to see her while he was there, and ask 
her to come back for a visit.” 

‘Mf she really did come,” said Winifred ear- 
nestly, I think I should be the happiest girl 
in the whole world.” 

“ Do you ever go to see Mrs. Bradford now 
that Mr. Bradford is dead?’” Lulu inquired 
rather irrelevantly. 

Winifred shook her head. 

‘‘ Mrs. Bradford was ill right after Mr. Brad- 


A FATHER AND MOTHER 


215 

ford died, and as soon as she was better her 
brother took her away. I don’t know where 
they went to, but the house is all shut up now, 
and there’s a sign on it that says, ‘ For sale or to 
let.’ I loved Mr. Bradford very much, but Uncle 
Will says it isn’t right to be sorry about him, 
because he had tO' suffer sO' much pain.” 

Just then there was a knock at the door, and 
Jimmie, the small boy in brass buttons, presented 
himself. 

It’s Miss Winifred’s nuss,” he announced in 
a shrill, decided voice, and she says Miss Wini- 
fred’s got to make tracks.” 

'‘Oh, Jimmie!” exclaimed Lulu reproachfully, 
“ how can you talk such dreadful slang? Don’t 
you know papa says you really mustn’t? I sup- 
pose you mean Josephine wants Winifred to go 
home.” 

“ That’s it,” said Jimmie, with a mischievous 
grin. “ ‘ Makin’ tracks ’ aint slang, though, hon- 
est it is not.” 

“ Yes, it is, and you know it perfectly well, 
Jimmie. I wonder what made Josephine come 
so early, Winifred? it isn’t half-past four 
yet.” 

“ I don’t know,” said Winifred, rising reluct- 
antly, and beginning to put away her work ; “ I 


2I6 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


suppose IVe got to go, though. Please tell 
Josephine Fll be right down^ Jimmie.’’ 

It really is dreadful the way Jimmie will talk 
slang,” remarked Lulu, with a sigh, as the boy 
departed. Papa has spoken to him very seri- 
ously about it, but I suppose he can’t help it very 
well, on account of his having been a news- 
boy for so long.” 

“ He’s a very nice boy, though,” said Wini- 
fred consolingly, as she put on her rubbers. 
“ He goes tO' school now, doesn’t he? ” 

‘'Yes, to night school, and he’s getting on, 
very nicely with his lessons, too. Aunt Daisy 
and I help him sometimes. Oh, dear, I wonder 
what ever made Josephine come so early? She 
said she wouldn’t be here before five.” 

On their way downstairs the children met 
Mrs. Bell, who had just come in, and held an 
open note in her hand. 

“ Winifred’s got to go home,” Lulu explained, 
“ it’s awfully early, but Josephine’s come for 
her.” 

“ Yes, I know,” said Mrs. Bell, smiling; “ I 
have just been speaking to Josephine; she 
brought me a note from Mrs. Meredith. Good- 
by, Winifred, darling; run home as fast as you 
can; I think your aunt wants you.” 


A FATHER AND MOTHER 


217 


She stooped to kiss Miss Winifred as she 
spoke, and something in the expression of her 
face made the little girl ask anxiously : 

There isn’t anything the matter, is there, 
Mrs. Bell?” 

“ Matter ? oh, no, indeed, only we musn’t keep 
you, because your aunt is in a hurry to get you 
home. Now run along, sweetheart, and don’t 
forget us, not even when you have a mother of 
your own.” 

“ Why, mamma,” exclaimed Lulu in a rather 
shocked tone, as the front door closed behind 
Winifred and Josephine, what made you hurry 
Winifred off so fast? It didn’t seem very po- 
lite.” 

Mrs. Bell laughed, and, slipping an arm about 
her little daughter’s waist, whirled her away up- 
stairs. 

“ Mrs. Meredith sent me a note asking me to 
hurry Winifred off at once,” she explained; “ her 
father and mother are coming this afternoon, and 
I have an idea our little friend is going to have a 
big surprise. Come up to Aunt Daisy’s room, 
and I’ll tell you all about it.” 

Winifred and Josephine walked home almost 
in silence. Winifred’s mind was full of the de- 
lightful possibilities Lulu had suggested, and 


2i8 


WINIFRED’S NEIGHBORS 


Josephine was always a silent person. It was 
very cold, too, and they had to walk fast, in order 
to keep from feeling uncomfortably chilly. When 
they reached home Winifred went at once to her 
aunt’s room. Things had changed very much in 
the three weeks since Uncle Will went away; 
Winifred never thought of coming home now 
without going to report tO' Aunt Estelle. Mrs. 
Meredith’s roomi was empty, however, and the 
little girl, concluding that her aunt was out, was 
going on upstairs to the nursery, but at the top 
of the second flight she encountered Mrs. Mere- 
dith coming out of the guest room. 

Oh, Winnie,” exclaimed Aunt Estelle in a 
tone of relief, I’m so glad you’ve come! I was 
dreadfully afraid you would be late. I want you 
to let Josephine put on your new white dress, 
and curl your hair prettily. You may wear your 
gold beads, too.” 

Why, Aunt Estelle, what for? ” inquired 
Winifred, gazing in astonishment at her aunt’s 
flushed, excited face. 

“ I’ve had a telegram from Uncle Will, and 
they will all be here this afternoon; the train is 
due at five. Now, don’t keep me, Mousie, I 
must hurry off and dress.” 

Winifred said nothing, but if Mrs. Meredith 


A FATHER AND MOTHER 


219 


had not been in such a hurry herself she might 
have noticed that the child had grown suddenly 
very pale. She followed Josephine into the nurs- 
ery, and stood quite still while the maid, in an un- 
usual flutter, whisked off her street things, and 
dressed her in the pretty white party dress which 
had been made purposely for her to wear to Sy- 
bil Holt's Christmas Tree next week. But all 
the time her heart was beating so fast, so' fast, 
and the uncomfortable feeling she had men- 
tioned to Lulu seemed increased a thousandfold. 
They were coming, those two strange beings, her 
father and mother. What would they be like? 
What would they say to her? It was very dread- 
ful, and ^he was so frightened. Oh, if there 
were only someone to hold her hand when they 
first came, and assure her it was all right — Lulu 
or Mrs. Bell, or dear, dear Mrs. Smith. 

At last, just as Josephine had given a final 
touch to the curls, and fastened the last button of 
her dress. Aunt Estelle's voice was heard from 
the foot of the stairs: 

‘‘ They're here; the carriage is stopping at the 
door. Come quick, Winifred. Oh, Josephine, 
do hurry; I can't get my collar hooked fast 
enough.” 

Away flew Josephine, out of the room, and 


220 


WINIFRED^S NEIGHBORS 


down the stairs, but Winifred did not move. She 
stood quite still by the bureau, ih the spot where 
Josephine had left her, her breath coming in 
quick, frightened gasps. She knew she ought to 
go; she knew Aunt Estelle wanted her, but there 
seemed to be something the matter with her feet, 
they positively refused to move. She heard the 
front door open, heard the sound of eager, ex- 
cited voices, and then, yielding to a sudden wild, 
blind impulse, she darted across the room tO' the 
bed, and buried her face deep down in the pil- 
lows, pressing her hands tightly over her ears. 

Winnie, my darling little Winnie, hiding 
from mother? Look up, my precious, and tell 
me all about it.’’ 

At the sound of the sweet, low voice, the touch 
of the loving hands, Winifred lifted her head; 
next moment both arms were around the stran- 
ger’s neck. 

“ Oh, Mrs. Smith, dear, dear Mrs. Smith, you 
did really come, after all. Lulu said you might, 
but I didn’t believe it. Oh, I am so glad. I’m so 
glad.” 

She was half laughing and half crying, and 
clinging to her newly-found friend in a perfect 
ecstasy of joy. And Mrs. Smith, crying and 
laughing by turns herself, was holding her close. 



Winnie, my darling little AVinnie, hiding from mother ? 
Page 220. 








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A FATHER AND MOTHER 


221 


murmuring broken words of endearment, and 
covering the dear little face with kisses. 

But even such unexpected happiness as this 
could not quite banish the memory of something 
else from Winifred’s mind, and in a few moments 
she sat up in Mrs. Smith’s lap, and brushed the 
tumbled hair out of her eyes. 

“ Oh, Mrs. Smith, dear,” she said, “ I’m so 
very, very glad to see you, but I’ve got to go 
downstairs to see my father and mother. Aunt 
Estelle called me ever so long ago, but I was so 
frightened, because, you see, I don’t know them 
the least little bit. I won’t be afraid, though, if 
you’ll come with me, and let me keep hold of 
your hand all the time.” 

Mrs. Smith laughed softly, and hugged her 
tighter than before. 

Afraid of your father and mother? oh, what a 
foolish little Winnie. Why, my darling, don’t 
you know — haven’t you guessed? ” 

Know what? ” inquired Winifred, looking 
puzzled. 

Why, about everything. Oh, my Winnie, 
my baby. I don’t know how to tell you, but it’s 
all right. We are all so happy. I came that 
other time because I had to see you; I felt as if I 
should die if I couldn’t, the longing was terrible. 


222 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


I didn’t dare stay long, for fear I should betray 
myself, and that might have made you unhappy, 
for I should have had to go away and leave you 
again. Now, my darling, don’t y^ou understand? 
Why, sweetheart, you are my very own little girl, 
and I am your own, own mother.” 

‘‘ Winnie, darling,” said Mrs. Hamilton five 
minutes later, “ here is your father; won’t you 
look up and tell him you are glad to see him ? ” 
With a little start, Winifred lifted her head 
from her mother’s shoulder. A gentleman, with 
a kind face and pleasant gray eyes, was standing 
beside them, looking down at them both with 
such an expression of love and tenderness that 
the very last vestige of Winifred’s shyness melted 
away, and as her father stooped to kiss her, she 
yielded to a sudden impulse, and threw both 
arms around his neck. 

I’m SO glad you didn’t do it,” she whispered; 
I always thought you didn’t, and so did 
Lulu.” 

There’s only just one thing in the whole 
world that I’m sorry about,” Winifred said that 
night, as her mother was tucking her in bed, 
and that is about Mr. Bradford. Mr. Bradford 
was a very nice man, and he would have been so 
much interested. I told him all about you, and 


A FATHER AND MOTHER 


223 


how sorry I was when you went away, and we 
used tO' talk a great deal about wishes.” 

“ About wishes? ” Mrs. Hamilton repeated in 
a somewhat puzzled tone. 

Yes, he asked me once what my first wish 
would be if an old witch should come down the 
chimney and offer me three, the way they do in 
the fairy stories, you know, and I told him it 
would be to have a mother. Then that last day 
— the day of the fire, you know — he asked me 
again, and I said my first wish would be to find 
out my father hadn’t done that thing. Then the 
fire came, and when I was so frightened and 
cried, he said I should have my wishes, and see 
my mother. He said he used to know you, and 
that you were a lovely woman. Do you rememr 
ber him, mother? ” 

Yes, dear, I remember him very well.” 

'' And didn’t you think he was a very nice 
man? ” 

I did think so once,” was Mrs. Hamilton’s 
rather evasive answer. She had already put out 
the light, and was sitting on the edge of the bed, 
so that Winifred could not see the expression of 
her face as she spoke. 

He was a very good man,” said Winifred 
with conviction. He was very kind to Brown 


224 


WINIFRED'S NEIGHBORS 


— Brown was his attendant, you know — and he 
always took such an interest in things. I do 
miss him very much, and Mrs. Bradford, too, 
though I didn’t know her quite as well as I knew 
him. She’s gone away now, and taken the par- 
rot with her — he was such a nice parrot — so you 
can’t see any of them; I’m sO' sorry.” 

“ I don’t want my little girl to be sorry about 
anything just now,” said Mrs. Hamilton, softly 
kissing the little hand she held. I want to 
make her life so bright and happy, that she will 
never be sorrowful about anything any more.” 

Winifred smiled contentedly as she nestled in 
her mother’s loving arms. 

I don’t think I feel really very sorry about 
anything,” she confessed. I’m afraid it 
wouldn’t be very grateful to Mr. Bradford not to 
miss him when he was so kind, but Uncle Will 
says he’s so much better off now, because he 
doesn’t have to suffer any more pain. But, oh, 
mother, dear, I am so very, very glad about your 
being my truly own mother, and about father 
being so nice. I do believe I am the very hap- 
piest girl in the whole world.” 


Winifred’s Neighbors 

By NINA RHOADES 

Author of “ Only Dollie ” and The Little 
Girl Next Door ” Illustrated by Bertha 
G. Davidson Large i2mo Cloth 8o 
cents net Postpaid 90 cents 

HE Little Girl Next Door ” has been 
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equal popularity. Little Winifred’s efforts 
to find some children of whom she reads in 
a book lead to the acquaintance of a neigh- 
bor of the same name, and this acquaintance 
proves of the greatest importance to Wini- 
fred’s own family. Through it all she is 
just such a little girl as other girls ought to 
know, and the story will hold the interest 
of all ages. 


The Little Girl Next Door 

By NINA RHOADES 

Author of “Only Dollie” Illustrated 
by Bertha G. Davidson Large i2mo 
Cloth 80 cents net Postage 10 cents 

A DELIGHTFUL story of true and gen- 
uine friendship between an impulsive 
little girl in a fine New York home and a 
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The little girl’s determination to cultivate 
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during a rainy day, triumphs over the bar- 
riers of caste, and the little blind girl proves 
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Later a mystery of birth is cleared up, and 
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birth as well as of gentle manners. 


Only Dollie 

By NINA RHOADES 

Square i2mo Cloth Illustrated by Bertha Davidson $1.00 

T his is a brightly written story of a girl of twelve, who when the 
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lee and SHEPARD PUBLISHERS 







LITTLE BETTY BLEW 

Her Strange Experiences and Adventures 
in Indian Land 

BY ANNIE M. BARNES 

Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill i2mo Cloth with gold and 
colors 3 CX) pages Price $i.oo, net Postpaid, $i.io 

O NE of the very best books with 
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natural desire for an “ Indian story ” 
is this one of little Betty Blew and 
what she saw and experienced when 
her family removed from Dorchester, 
Mass., two hundred years ago, to 
their home on the Ashley River above 
Charleston, South Carolina. Although 
Betty is but a small maid she is so 
wise and true that she charms all, and 
there are a number of characters who 
will interest boys as well as girls, and 
old as well as young. 

There are many Indians who figure most importantly in many 
exciting scenes, but the book, though a splendid “ Indian story,” 
is far more than that. It is an unusually entertaining tale of the 
making of a portion of our country, with plenty of information 
as well as incident to commend it, and the account of a delight- 
ful family life in the brave old times. It is good to notice that 
this story is to be the first of a colonial series, which will surely 
be a favorite with children and their parents. Mr. Merrill’s 
illustrations are of unusual excellence, even for that gifted artist, 
and the binding is rich and beautiful. 


For sale by all booksellers^ or sent prepaid on receipt of price 
and postage^ by the publishers 

LEE AND SHEPARD BOSTON 



ANNIE M.BARNES 


THE RANDY BOOKS 

By AMY BROOKS 

i2mo Cloth Artistic cover design in Gold 
and Colors Each finely illustrated by the 
author 

T he progress of the “ Randy Books ” has 
been one continual triumph over the 
hearts of girls of all ages, for dear little fun- 
loving sister Prue is almost as much a central 
figure as Randy, growing toward womanhood 
with each book. The sterling good sense and 
simple naturalness of Randy, and the total 
absence of slang and viciousness, make these 
books in the highest degree commendable, 
while abundant life is supplied by the doings 
of merry friends, and there is rich humor in 
the droll rural characters. No book is more 
anxiously awaited or eagerly called for long 
in advance than a promised new “Randy Book,” 

Randy’s Summer $i.oo 

Randy’s Winter $i.oo 

Randy and Her Friends $.80, net 

Randy and Prue $.80, net {Ready September /, igos) 


Madg^e a Girl in Earnest 

By S. Jennie Smith i2mo Cloth Illus- 
trated by James E. McBurney $i,net 

M adge is indeed “ a girl in earnest.” 

She scorns the patronage of an aris- 
tocratic relative and takes upon her strong 
young shoulders the problem of carrying 
along the family in an independent manner. 

Her bravely won success, in spite of the 
lions in her path, not the least of which was 
the fear of social disfavor felt by some of 
her family, forms an inspiring tale. An un- 
usual amount of practical information is pre- 
sented in a thoroughly entertaining manner, 
and the character-drawing is remarkably true 
and strong. 


LEE AND SHEPARD BOSTON] 





SOPHIE MAY^S “ LITTLE-FOLKS ” BOOKS 


LITTLE PRUDY 

** I have been wanting to say a word about a book for chil- 
dren, perfect of its kind, — I mean ‘ Little Prudy.’ It seems to 
me the greatest book of the season for children. The authoress 
has a genius for stoiy -telling. Prudy’s letter to Mr. ’Gustus 
Somebody must be genuine ; if an invention, it shows a genius 
akin to that of the great masters. It is a positive kindness to 
the little ones to remind their parents that there is such a book 
as ‘ Little Prudy.’ ” — Springfield Bepuhlican* 


LITTLE PRUDY'S SISTER SUSIE 

“ Every little girl and boy who has made the acquaintance 
•f that funny ‘ Little Prudy ’ will be eager to read this book, in 
which she figures quite as largely as her bigger sister, though 
the joys and troubles of poor Susie make a very interesting 
stoiy.” — Portland Transcript, 

“ Certainly one of the most cunning, natural, and witty little 
books we ever read.” — Hartford Press. 


LITTLE PRUDY^S CAPTAIN HORACE 

These are such as none but Sophie May can write, and we 
know not where to look for two more choice and beautiful 
volumes — ‘ Susie ’ for girls and ‘ Horace ’ for boys. They are 
not only amusing and wonderfully entertaining, but teach 
most effective lessons of patience, kindness, and truthfulness. 
Our readers will find a good deal in them about Prudy, for so 
many things are always happening to her that the author finds 
it impossible to keep her out.” 


SOPHIE MAY’S “LITTLE-FOLKS” BOOKS 


LITTLE PRUDY^S STORY BOOK 

“ This story book is a great favorite with the little folks, for 
ft contains just such stories as they like to hear their aunt and 
older sister tell ; and learn them by heart and tell them over to 
one another as they set out the best infant tea-set, or piece a 
baby quilt, or dress dolls, or roll marbles. A book to put on 
the book-shelf in the play-room where ‘ Susie ’ and ‘ Prudy,’ 
‘ Captain Horace,’ ‘ Cousin Grace,’ and all the rest of the 
‘ Little Prudy ’ folks are kept.” — Vermont Record^ 


LITTLE PRUDY^S COUSIN GRACE 

“ An exquisite picture of little-girl life at school and at home, 
and gives an entertaining account of a secret society which 
originated in the fertile brain of Grace, passed some comical 
resolutions at first, but was finally converted into a Soldiers’ 
Aid Society. Full of life, and fire, and good advice ; the latter 
sugar-coated, of course, to suit the taste of little folks.” — 
Press. 


LITTLE PRUDY^S DOTTY DIMPLE 

“Dotty Dimple is the plague of Prudy’s life, and yet she 
loves her dearly. Both are rare articles in juvenile literature, 
as real as Eva and Topsy of ‘ Uncle Tom ’ fame. Witty and 
wise, full of sport and study, sometimes mixing the two in a 
confusing way, they run bubbling thi’ough many volumes, and 
Make everybody wish they could never grow up or change, 
they are so bright and cute.” 


SOPHIE MAY’S “LITTLE-FOLKS” BOOKS 


DOTTY DIMPLE AT HER GRANDMOTHER^S 

“Sophie May’s excellent pen has perhaps never written 
anything more pleasing to children, especially little girls, than 
"Dotty Dimple.’ If the little reader follows Dotty through 
these dozen chapters — from her visit to her grandmother to 
the swing under the trees — he or she will say : ‘ It has been a 
treat to read about Dotty Dimple, she’s so cunning.’ ” — Herald 
of Gospel Liberty, 


DOTTY DIMPLE OUT WEST 

“ Dotty’s trip was jolly. In the cars, where she saw so many 
people that she thought there’d be nobody left in any of the 
houses, she offers to hold somebody’s baby, and when it begins 
to cry she stuffs pop-corn into its mouth, nearly choking it to 
death. Afterwards, in pulling a man’s hair, she is hoiTified at 
seeing his wig come off, and gasps out, ‘ Oh, dear, dear, dear, 1 
didn’t know your hair was so tender ! ’ Altogether, she is the 
cunningest chick that ever lived.” — Oxford Press, 


DOTTY DIMPLE AT HOME 

“ This little book is as full of spice as any of its predecessoj’s, 
and well sustains the author’s reputation as the very cleverest 
of all writers of this species of children’s books. Were there 
any doubt on this point, the matter might be easily tested by 
inquiry in half the households in the city, where the book is 
being revelled over.” — Boston Home Journal, 


SOPHIE MAY’S “LITTLE-FOLKS” BOOKS 


DOTTY DIMPLE AT SCHOOL 

“ Miss Dotty is a peremptory little body, with a great deal of 
human nature in her, who wins our hearts by her comic 
speeches and funny ways. She complains of being bewitched 
by people, and the wind ‘ blows her out,’ and she thinks if her 
comrade dies in the snow-storm she will be ‘ dreadfully ’shamed 
of it,’ and has rather a lively time with all her trials in going to 
school.” — New York Citizen. 


DOTTY DIMPLE AT PLAY 

“ ‘ Charming Dotty Dimple,’ as she is so universally styled, 
has become decidedly a favorite with young and old, who are 
alike pleased with her funny sayings and doings. ‘ Dotty at 
Play ’ will be found very attractive, and the children, especially 
the girls, will be delighted with her adventures.” — Boston 
"Express. 


DOTTY DIMPLE'S FLYAWAY 

“This is the final volume of the ‘Dotty Dimple Series.* 
It relates how little Flyaway provisioned herself with cookies 
and spectacles and got lost on a little hill while seeking to 
mount to heaven, and what a precious alarm there was until 
she was found, and the subsequent joy at her recoveiy, with 
lots of quaint speeches and funny incidents.” — North Ameri- 
can. 

“ A Little Bed Riding-Hoodish story, sprightly and takingly 
told.” — American Farmer. 


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